Sustainable regional development in a resource-rich region: The case for social innovation

This paper examines social innovation (SI) as an alternate pathway to sustainable regional development (SRD) in Nigeria’s resource-rich Niger Delta. It reviews existing regional development policy, highlighting the limitations of top-down approaches, and arguing for increased community participation and stakeholder collaboration. The paper also stresses the importance of addressing environmental issues related to oil exploitation and proposes a paradigm shift towards a collaborative governance model of SRD, which integrates both top-down and bottom-up strategies. It calls for targeted and context-specific policy responses that consider the unique needs of each State in the Niger Delta region. Drawing on evidence from semi-structured interviews with founders of SI initiatives, the study demonstrates the transformative potential of SI in fostering inclusion, empowerment, and collaboration, while addressing multiple dimensions of sustainable development. The paper offers valuable insights for policymakers seeking to devise more effective sustainable development strategies in resource-rich regions facing similar challenges.