Oil and gas: 11th largest reserves globally, 90% of foreign exchange
Shell TNC in Niger Delta — costs & benefits
Shell has operated in Nigeria since the 1950s
Benefits: Investment and expertise · jobs · government tax revenue · infrastructure
Costs: Oil spills devastated Niger Delta communities and ecosystems · gas flaring pollutes air · profits largely leave Nigeria (repatriation)
Communities received little benefit while suffering environmental damage
Quality of life changes
Life expectancy increased from 46 → 53 years
64% now access safe water (up from lower figures)
Schooling increased from 7 → 9 years
More formal employment · rising incomes
But: inequality remains — urban and oil regions wealthier · rural/northern areas much poorer
Exam questions — 3 questions · 10 marks
⚡ Geography exam tip: Always use named examples with specific data. "An earthquake in Nepal" scores fewer marks than "The 2015 Nepal earthquake (magnitude 7.9, 9,000 deaths)." Learn the statistics on this page.
1 markExport earnings
What percentage of Nigeria's export earnings come from oil?
A About 30%
B About 50%
C About 90%
D About 10%
4 marksTNC impacts
Using Shell in Nigeria as an example, evaluate the positive and negative impacts of a Transnational Corporation (TNC) on an LIC/NEE. (4 marks)
Hint: Give at least 2 positives AND 2 negatives. Name Shell and the Niger Delta specifically. Conclude with a balanced evaluation.
+40 XP
4 marksChanging economy
Describe how Nigeria's economy has changed in recent years and explain why this is important for development. (4 marks)
Hint: Describe the changes (agriculture → manufacturing/services, oil), then explain why this matters for development (life expectancy, income, jobs, quality of life).