Italian Development Cooperation and Artisanal Fishing Communities in Bayelsa State

This study examines the contribution of Italian development cooperation to the livelihoods of artisanal fishing communities along the coastline of Bayelsa State in South-South Nigeria. Italy has maintained a development cooperation presence in Nigeria through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), with interventions in rural livelihoods, environmental sustainability, and vocational training. Despite the ecological importance of the Bayelsa coastal zone and the vulnerability of its fishing communities to oil pollution and climate-related stressors, the impact of Italian-funded programmes in this area has not been systematically assessed in undergraduate research. This descriptive study employs a combination of documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews with fishing community leaders, AICS programme officers, and Bayelsa State Ministry of Agriculture officials. EU and Italian government programme documentation from 2019 to 2024 forms the primary secondary data source. The research questions focus on how Italian development assistance has addressed the dual challenges of oil pollution and climate vulnerability facing artisanal fishers, and whether livelihood diversification interventions have produced measurable economic improvements. Preliminary findings suggest that while Italian-funded programmes have improved awareness of sustainable fishing practices, challenges including oil spill remediation timelines and weak institutional follow-through have undermined long-term livelihood outcomes. Keywords: Italian development cooperation, Bayelsa State, artisanal fishing, oil pollution, livelihood diversification.