The Effectiveness of the Amnesty Programme in Restoring Peace in the Niger Delta

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in restoring peace and stability in the Niger Delta region, with specific reference to Rivers State, South South Nigeria. Since its introduction in 2009, the Amnesty Programme has been a cornerstone of the Federal Government's strategy to rehabilitate ex-militants, reduce pipeline vandalism, and restore peace to one of Africa's most conflict-prone oil-producing regions. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 180 respondents including ex-militants, community residents, civil society organisations, and government officials in Port Harcourt, Okrika, and Degema local government areas. The theoretical basis draws from disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration theory and the human security framework. Findings indicate that the programme achieved notable early successes in reducing militancy incidents and maintaining relative oil production stability. However, critics note that the programme's dependency on stipend disbursements without adequate vocational reintegration has created a new form of structural dependency among beneficiaries. Environmental remediation, community development, and inclusive governance remain largely unaddressed dimensions of Niger Delta peace. The study recommends transforming the Amnesty Programme from a stipend-based model to a skills and enterprise development framework, linking reintegration to community peace dividends, and addressing environmental justice as a prerequisite for durable peace. Keywords: Amnesty Programme, Niger Delta, peacebuilding, reintegration, Rivers State.