Abstract
Oil spills remain a significant environmental and human security challenge, particularly in oil-producing regions like Rivers State, Nigeria. The persistent degradation of land, water, and air due to hydrocarbon pollution has severe health implications, erodes community resilience, and heightens insecurity. Despite extensive research on oil spills in the Niger Delta, gaps persist regarding the long-term health effects, community adaptation strategies, and the broader human security implications. This study addresses these gaps by employing mixed-methods, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with affected communities, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. The study critically examines how environmental degradation undermines economic, food, health, and community security, utilizing the human security theory. Findings reveal a strong correlation between oil spills and increased cancer rates, respiratory ailments, and declining agricultural and fishing livelihoods, exacerbating poverty and social unrest. Unlike previous studies, this research foregrounds community-driven resilience strategies and critiques the inefficacy of existing remediation efforts. It recommends strengthening environmental policies, enhancing healthcare interventions, and integrating human security into Nigeria's national security framework. This study contributes to the literature by bridging empirical gaps on human security dynamics in oil spill-affected regions and proposing actionable policy frameworks for sustainable development.