This dissertation discusses the politics of ethnic nationalism in Nigeria and examines the socio-economic and political grievances which led to the formation of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) and the subsequent drafting of the Ogoni Bill of Rights that advocated for greater autonomy for the Ogoniland through emancipation from the yoke of domestic colonialism. It explores MOSOP¡¯s campaign strategies and its encounters with the State. The rationale behind this dissertation rests on the examination of the Ogoni Bill of Rights under international law of self-determination. It argues that the law of self-determination falls short of the claims that are enshrined in the Ogoni Bill of Rights because the conflicting interpretations of the term ¡®peoples¡¯ suggest that the holder of the right to self-determination is the entire population of the state and, by implication the Nigerian state. Thus, international law of self-determination is elusive and unable to respond to the exigencies of contemporary struggles such as those of the Ogoni. The dissertation concludes that Ogoniland¡¯s claim for political autonomy is justified because: (a) the Ogonis have been intimidated, victimized and their oil resources exploited by the Nigerian government and the multi-national oil companies, and (b) Ogoniland is underdeveloped due to the continuing marginalization of the Ogonis by the Nigerian ruling elites, who use the revenue from Ogoni oil resources to develop the states of the ethnic majorities. In contrast, it is argued that the Nigerian state must protect the human and democratic rights of the Ogonis to ensure the future development of Ogoniland.