Enhancing environmental governance in Nigeria: A comprehensive policy review for sustainable development
Author(s): Ndum, Victor Etim; Inah, Emmanuel Mkpe; Henshaw, Vera Ene
Institute(s): Institute of Public Policy and Administration, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
Volume 2024 / Issue 2
Abstract
Despite governance being widely acknowledged as a crucial element for effective environmental management, sustainable environmental management in Nigeria remained elusive. This study aimed to provide policy recommendations by conducting a comprehensive review of the existing literature on Nigeria's institutional, legal, and policy frameworks of environmental governance. The findings indicated that Nigeria's environmental system suffered from ineffectiveness, a lack of public participation, unenforceable and impractical laws and policies, and a weak and fragmented institutional framework. Consequently, the study concluded that Nigeria's current environmental governance structures were wholly inadequate to address the country's significant environmental challenges. It emphasized that sustainable environmental management required governance systems where the legal, policy, and institutional aspects of environmental management were considered the shared responsibilities of both shareholders and various stakeholders. Based on the extensive review of environmental governance issues, the paper asserted that promoting good governance would lead to effective and sustainable environmental management in Nigeria. It recommended the establishment of comprehensive, clear, and enforceable environmental regulations and the strengthening of the institutional framework for environmental governance in Nigeria.
Number of Pages: 18
Number of Words: 8637
First Page: 213
Last Page: 230