Environmental Degradation as Constraint to Sustainable Rural Entrepreneurship in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Recent trends have shown the persistence of environmental degradation arising from capitalist oil resource extraction in the rural Niger Delta, Nigeria. The adverse effects of degradation on rural entrepreneurship have not been adequately investigated. The objective of this study is to examine environmental degradation related constraints to sustainable rural entrepreneurship in the Niger Delta. The methodology for the study was a cross sectorial survey which used a sample of entrepreneurs engaged in non-formal small scale businesses in the rural Niger Delta. The aim was to understand the salient factors undermining rural entrepreneurship. The major findings suggest that rural entrepreneurship largely derives from the natural environment and beyond monetary constraints; environmental degradation in the region remains a key problem. In the alternative, the study made some recommendations.

Keywords: Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Economic Empowerment, Rural Development, Niger Delta.