Accommodating, Collaborating and Alternative Conflict Resolution (ACR) In Oil Producing Communities in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Every entity has interests to protect. However, actualizing these interest usually leads to conflict, thus, highlighting the need to apply effective conflict management strategies in conflicting situations. This study centered on accommodating, collaborating, and alternative conflict resolution (ACR) in oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The main objective of the study was to examine the combined influence of accommodating and collaborating on alternative conflict resolution in oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The population of this study is infinite, as there was no exact population statistics on states that make up the Niger Delta region. The sample size of the study was 384, as determined using the Topman sample size determination technique. A descriptive survey research design was used in the study. Generated primary data for the study were analyzed using multiple regression. Findings from the study showed that accommodating and collaborating have combined significant positive influence on ACR. We concluded that conflict management has a substantial effect on ACR in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. It was recommended that the host communities in the Niger Delta region should accommodate the oil firms, especially when their demands have been reasonably met. This will help to sustain the relationships between the host communities and oil exploration firms in the region. Also, when the demands of the host communities are not met, due to how outrageous they may be, the concerned communities and oil-exploring firms in the region should easily resort to the use of collaboration as this will help them see the continued importance of each party in the region.