An overview of Niger Delta environmental pollution and people’s perception in Peter Omoko’s <i>Crude Nightmen</i>

Over the years, the problem of environmental pollution has become a serious concern in the Niger Delta region; Nigeria. Although, the Nigerian government has put in place preventive measures such by establishing institutional machineries like the Ministry of Environmental Protection Agency, formally known as the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA); Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and (OSSOPADEC) - Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, among others. These measures aim to ensure a cleaner environment across the country and, most especially, in the coastal regions, however, these efforts may seem insignificant as the rate of pollution in Niger Delta and many other oil-producing regions continues to pose diverse environmental challenges and has devastating impacts. This paper therefore, embarks on an eco-critical reading of Peter Omoko’s Crude Nightmen, to examine the devastating effects that environmental pollution has caused on some social structures in the Niger-Delta region. This paper further examines the effect of environmental pollution on both humans and nature; it also shed light on the play, offering insights into the complexity of socio-environmental conflicts and the resilience of communities in the face f adversity. Adopting qualitative research approach, the paper established that environmental pollution has impacted negatively on the family unit, communal leadership and qualitative education. The paper opined that drama, such as Peter Omoko’s Crude Nightmen, is a powerful play for raising environmental awareness and advocating for ecological justice in such challenging settings as the Niger Delta, Nigeria.