For a number of years exploration and production (E&P) of oil in the Niger Delta Region (NDR) has had both positive and negative impacts in Nigeria. Achieving equitable distribution of oil revenues among stakeholders has been impossible. Stakeholders include the Nigerian Government, International Oil Companies (IOCs), communities impacted by E&P activities and wider 'disadvantaged' communities in the NDR. Inequitable distribution of revenues has led to confrontation amongst stakeholders. This makes the region and the country unstable. Additionally, infrastructure development, capacity building and environmental degradation are all of critical concern for host communities. While IOCs operating in the region have adopted different approaches to addressing these concerns, the majority of the stakeholders view these approaches as selfish and motivated purely by business considerations. Sustainability considerations in oil E&P activities include economic, environmental, political and social perspectives. It is critical to the future of the NDR and Nigeria as a country. A sustainable development approach would appear to be a likely framework for addressing some of these concerns. This paper explores sustainable development approach within the context of the NDR. In particular, it examines and discusses the role of capacity building in youth education in the NDR and the effects it can or may have on various stakeholders. The paper concludes by outlining the necessary elements of a wider research project aimed at developing a framework for future sustainable development in the Niger Delta and its implications for the development of education in Nigeria.