THE HUMAN FACTOR PARADIGM: Women and Peace-building in the Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria

This paper underscores the need for a different and transformative mode of politics in Nigeria's Niger-Delta. This entails a change from the present conception and practice of politics which excludes, alienates and oppresses the majority of the population (women) to one that is inclusive, participatory and treats them as the collaborative partners in the development process. It uses the lived experiences of rural women in Odi, Uzere and Igbokoda in the Niger-Delta to explore the plausibility of this human-factor approach to politics as a means to alleviate the crisis of under-development, environmental degradation and perennial armed conflict which continues to bedevil the Niger-Delta.