LEGAL FRAMEWORKS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Study Climate change presents one of the most formidable environmental and developmental challenges confronting the global community. Rising temperatures, unpredictable weather patterns, flooding, desertification, and sea-level rise have had significant impacts on human health, agriculture, water resources, and national economies (IPCC, 2021). Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation and a signatory to various international climate agreements—including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement—is not exempt from these adverse consequences. In response to escalating climate-related threats, Nigeria enacted the Climate Change Act 2021, positioning itself among the few African countries with a dedicated legal framework to tackle climate change. This Act establishes the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), mandates carbon budgeting, and seeks to mainstream climate actions across all sectors. However, concerns persist about the extent to which these legal provisions are effectively implemented, enforced, and harmonized with Nigeria's international obligations. Given the complexities of environmental governance, especially within federal systems like Nigeria’s, legal and institutional frameworks often suffer from poor coordination, insufficient political will, weak enforcement mechanisms, and limited public awareness (Ogunro & Okonjo, 2023). Moreover, while Nigeria has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adopt adaptive strategies, the gap between legal provisions and tangible outcomes suggests a disjunction warranting scholarly investigation. 1.2 Statement of the Problem Despite Nigeria’s ratification of several global climate treaties and the enactment of domestic environmental laws, the country continues to experience escalating climate-related challenges such as desertification in the North, coastal erosion in the South, and erratic rainfall nationwide. These issues raise critical questions about the effectiveness of Nigeria’s legal framework in mitigating and adapting to climate change. The implementation of the Climate Change Act remains uneven, with weak regulatory oversight, lack of compliance incentives, and poor integration into state-level policies (Arowolo & Alabi, 2022). Additionally, there is insufficient clarity on how Nigeria’s domestic legal instruments align with its international obligations. This study, therefore, investigates the extent to which Nigeria’s climate change legal frameworks are being implemented and how effectively they comply with international environmental standards. 1.3 Objectives of the Study The specific objectives of this study are to: 1. Examine the evolution and current state of Nigeria’s legal frameworks for climate change mitigation and adaptation. 2. Assess Nigeria’s level of compliance with international climate change agreements, particularly the Paris Agreement. 3. Identify the challenges affecting the implementation of climate change laws and policies in Nigeria. 4. Propose legal and institutional reforms to enhance Nigeria’s climate governance regime. 1.4 Research Questions 1. What legal and policy frameworks currently exist in Nigeria for addressing climate change? 2. How aligned are these domestic laws with Nigeria’s international obligations under agreements like the Paris Agreement? 3. What are the key challenges hindering the implementation of these legal frameworks? 4. What reforms can strengthen Nigeria’s compliance and enforcement capacity in climate governance? 1.5 Significance of the Study This study is significant for several reasons. First, it contributes to the growing body of legal scholarship on climate change governance in Africa. Second, it provides policymakers, legal practitioners, and environmental advocates with empirical evidence and legal analysis to inform better law-making, implementation, and reform. Third, the study promotes environmental justice by highlighting legal gaps and the need for responsive climate laws that protect vulnerable populations in Nigeria. Finally, it enhances Nigeria’s capacity to meet its obligations under international environmental law, particularly as global pressure mounts for meaningful climate action. 1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study This study focuses on Nigerian legal frameworks enacted between 2015 and 2024, with emphasis on the Climate Change Act 2021 and related national environmental policies. It also examines Nigeria’s international commitments within the UNFCCC framework. The geographical scope is national, though case studies may reference regional climate vulnerabilities (e.g., the Sahelian North and the Niger Delta). Limitations may include access to up-to-date government implementation reports and limited judicial decisions on climate litigation in Nigeria. 1.7 Methodology (Brief Overview) This study adopts a doctrinal legal research method, relying on primary legal instruments such as statutes, international treaties, and case law. It also includes qualitative content analysis of policy documents, scholarly articles, and reports from international organizations like the UN, IPCC, and UNEP. Secondary sources include academic literature, environmental law journals, and expert interviews where applicable. 1.8 Structure of the Study This study is structured into five chapters. Chapter One introduces the research problem. Chapter Two reviews existing literature on climate change law and governance. Chapter Three presents the legal and institutional framework for climate change in Nigeria. Chapter Four analyzes implementation challenges and assesses compliance with international law. Chapter Five offers conclusions and legal reform recommendations.