UHU
FS
IUI
s
Faculty of Social Studies
Reviewer's Bachelor Thesis Assessment Report
Author: Damian Okoro
Title: Oil Revenue Mismanagement Patterns in NIGERIA. (2005-2023)
doc. Mgr. Jan Osička, Ph.D.
Mgr. Martin Chovančík, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies - Faculty of
Social Studies
Supervisor:
Reviewer:
Department:
The final grade is contingent on both the text of the thesis AND the defense proceedings
themselves.
Evaluation brackets: Criteria met fully; Criteria met with minor deficiencies; Criteria met
with major deficiencies; Criteria not met.
1. The argument of the thesis is clearly defined and presented OR the policy paper
offers clearly presented recommendations: Criteria met with minor deficiencies
The thesis identifies a significant pattern of oil revenue mismanagement in Nigeria, focusing
on systemic corruption and institutional failure between 2005 and 2023. While the argument is
present, it is largely descriptive rather than analytical. It documents what happened but fails
to provide a rigorous causal explanation for the persistence of these patterns despite multiple
legislative changes.
2. Thesis follows the recommended structure: Criteria met with major deficiencies
The work follows a basic structure; however, there is a fundamental issue with the chosen
format. The student has attempted a research paper, yet the final sections include extensive
policy recommendations. In academic writing for International Relations, research papers focus
on explaining phenomena and testing hypotheses, whereas recommendations are the hallmark
of a policy paper. Mixing these styles is undesirable as it dilutes the analytical focus and creates
an identity crisis for the work.
3. Thesis clearly defines the research guestion/hypothesis: Criteria met with minor
deficiencies
The research question aims to investigate the factors behind revenue mismanagement and its
impact on development. While clear, it is overly broad. A stronger research paper would have
narrowed the scope to test a specific variable, like for example the efficacy of the NEITI audit
recommendations, rather than a general overview of the "resource curse" with which counties
have problems for a variety of reasons.
4. Thesis reflects existing literature on the topic : Criteria met with minor deficiencies
The author engages with standard concepts like the "Resource Curse" and "Dutch Disease."
However, the review lacks depth in broader applicable concepts such as "Path Dependency" or
"Rentier State Theory". Furthermore, in my view, it ignores a significant counterargument. It is
also argued that mismanagement is not merely a "failure" of the state, but a rational survival
strategy for elites to maintain patronage networks in a fragmented society.
Reviewer's Bachelor Thesis Assessment Report Damian Okoro, uco 518324
5. Thesis offers new insights while explaining their: Criteria met with minor deficiencies
The paper provides a comprehensive timeline of Nigerian oil politics, but offers little that isn't
already well-documented by international organizations like the World Bank or EITI.
6. Analysis is executed thoroughly, correctly (according to the chosen method and
data relevant to the research guestion), and with reference to theoretical expectations:
Criteria met with minor deficiencies
The analysis is thorough in its data compilation but weak in theoretical application. The
"resource curse" is used as a backdrop rather than an active analytical tool to explain why
Nigeria specifically remains stuck.
7. Structure(logical structure of sentences, paragraphs, and chapters): Criteria met fully
8. Style (elocution, use of academic style): Criteria met fully
9. Sources and citing (evidence is properly cited according to ethical rules, correct use
of chosen citation style, correct bibliography): Criteria met with minor deficiencies
There is a heavy reliance on secondary news sources and NGO reports. For a research paper,
more engagement with primary legislative data and peer-reviewed academic journals was
expected.
10. Thesis extent fits within the recommended range (8,500 - 10,000 words including
footnotes, bibliography, without appendices): Meets
11. Questions and overall commentary:
The thesis provides an informative overview of Nigeria's oil sector mismanagement, but it
functions more like a summary of failures than a rigorous IR research project. The most glaring
issue is the methodological inconsistency: research papers seek to explain why something is the
case, while recommendations seek to solve it. By devoting significant space to "solutions," the
author has missed the opportunity for deeper analytical inquiry. A more critical approach would
have addressed the "Institutional Mimicry" concept - the idea that Nigeria creates organizations
(like the NNPC or PIA bodies) that look like international best practices but are hollowed out
by local political interests.
Question for the defense:
Since this is a research paper, let us set recommendations aside: From a Rentier State
perspective, how does the Nigerian state's reliance on oil revenue fundamentally change the
"social contract" between the government and its citizens compared to a state that relies on
taxation?
12. Recommended evaluation: passed
In Brno 9.1.2026
Mgr. Martin Chovancik, Ph.D.
Mgr. Martin Chovancik, Ph.D. 2