Is Nigeria Ready to Combat Environmental Problems? A Peep through Judicial Decisions of Nigerian Courts

Abstract

Nigeria, similar to numerous other nations across the globe, grapples with a multitude of environmental difficulties. The imperative of safeguarding the environment is considered inviolable, and any responsible nation must accord it utmost importance. The recognition and correlation between the right to address environmental issues and the rights to life and human dignity, as stated in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, have been established by authoritative entities inside the country. In Nigeria, there exist a limited number of established authorities responsible for environmental preservation. The main objective of this study is to assess the progress made by Nigeria in the realm of environmental preservation, while also evaluating the extent to which the Nigerian government and other pertinent actors in the environmental sector adhere to court directives pertaining to environmental protection. When a court of appropriate jurisdiction issues a judgement in a specific case, it is expected that the judgement will be promptly adhered to in order to uphold the principles of the legal system. Failure to comply with court judgements poses a significant issue that requires rapid attention. This study investigates the aforementioned element in the context of evaluations pertaining to environmental conservation. In order for Nigeria to align with international standards pertaining to environmental conservation, it is imperative to adhere to the principles of the rule of law and ensure compliance with court rulings.