Paper short abstract:

This paper deconstructs the emergence of Kpo Fire (artisanal crude oil refining) as an informal social response to oil extraction in Nigeria. It embodies the contrasting but interconnected perspectives of Kpor Fire as empowerment (youth agency/resistance) and disempowerment (environmental toxicity).

Paper long abstract:

Our research provides insight to understanding the emergent trends in oil extraction in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, by analytically deconstructing artisanal crude oil refining, an informal economic activity locally referred to as “Kpo Fire”. We argue that it reflects the formal contradictions of oil extraction and associated informal social responses in the region. The paper hence synthesized narratives on Kpor Fire from two contrasting but interconnected perspectives of empowerment and disempowerment. On the one hand, Kpor Fire as empowerment reflects resistance and agency of marginalized youths to secure access to oil resources, promote oil-based livelihoods and local participation in the oil economy. On the other hand, Kpor Fire constitutes social disempowerment for communities, as the environmental toxicity (soot pollution) associated with the practice generates public health hazards with increasing exposure of communities to toxic fumes.