THE THREAT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN NIGERIA: THE LEGAL APPROACH TO POLLUTION CONTROL

The use of fossil fuels in Nigeria is a major contributor to climate change that has several devastating effect on the environment. This paper found firstly, that over the past decades, Nigeria has suffered environmental degradation as a result of its oil related activities. Secondly, it found that climate change has negatively impacted the Nigerian environment in terms of flooding, desertification, acid rains and destruction of the ecosystem. It also found that environmental problems associated with oil related activities are numerous in Nigeria. No laws can save nature, it is only man himself that can do it, and so we have to change ourselves to protect nature and the environment. Legislation is also important and necessary. To check the menace of climate change in Nigeria, legislation on environmental protection are not an end in themselves and cannot save the environment. This paper will argue that the negative consequences of climate change are inimical to Nigeria’s sustainable development. Further, this paper will examine the Legal approach to pollution control in Nigeria, and the role statutes have played in this regard.