AN APPRAISAL OF THE POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Environmental sustainability means the management of the environment in such a way that ensures that the environment and its natural resources give their optimum yield and preserved for the benefit of both present and future generations. This study appraised the policy and legal framework for environmental sustainability in Nigeria. The study found that Nigeria enjoys a comparatively well-established body of laws and a ministry to regulate the environment but in spite of these measures, there is widespread regulatory failure. It further found that economic development is priced over and above the sustainability of the environment. The study comes to the conclusion that environmental concerns are not faithfully incorporated into economic and development activities in such a way as to significantly change people's behavior. The paper made several recommendations, one of which is the transition to renewable energy as the most viable option to sustaining the environment.