ENVIRONMENTAL

This study assessed the adoption of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices among real estate developers in Benin City, Nigeria, with a view to promoting sustainable property development. The study sought to examine the profiles of real estate development companies in Benin City, evaluate their extent of ESG adoption, and identify the factors influencing the implementation of ESG principles. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to registered real estate developers operating in Benin City. Out of 43 identified firms, 30 valid responses were obtained and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that most developers were small- to medium-sized firms primarily engaged in residential and commercial developments. The overall level of ESG adoption was moderate, with Governance practices recording the highest adoption index (Mean = 3.14), followed by Social practices (Mean = 2.98) and Environmental practices (Mean = 2.86). Governance highlighted activities such as compliance monitoring, transparency, and property audits were more widely implemented than environmental initiatives such as renewable energy adoption and green roofing systems. The study further identified management leadership and commitment, availability of finance, perceived return on investment, and corporate strategy as the most significant factors influencing ESG adoption. Regression analysis showed that institutional factors exerted the strongest influence on ESG adoption, followed by organizational and market factors, collectively explaining 52.5% of the variation in ESG implementation among developers. The study concludes that while awareness of ESG principles is growing among real estate developers in Benin City, implementation remains largely moderate and compliance driven, with environmental and social dimensions receiving less attention than governance concerns. The study recommends the development of a comprehensive ESG regulatory framework, increased access to green financing, enhanced capacity building, and the institutionalization of ESG reporting standards to improve sustainability performance within Nigeria’s real estate sector. Keywords: Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Real Estate Development, Sustainability, Sustainable Property Development, Governance Practices, Benin City, Nigeria.

Environmental pollution is a global concern, with Nigeria being one of the highest emitters of greenhouse gases due to its crude oil production. Environmental degradation has led to adverse socio-economic impacts, including population displacement, reduced agricultural productivity, and health hazards. While several regulatory frameworks exist to combat environmental pollution, including the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, and the Climate Change Act, they are hindered by fragmented enforcement mechanisms. A significant barrier to environmental rights enforcement in Nigeria is the constitutional limitation under Section 6(6)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, which renders environmental rights non-justiciable. This limitation prevents individuals and communities from seeking legal redress for environmental harm. However, proponents argue that environmental rights remain enforceable under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as recognized in cases such as Fawehinmi v Abacha and Gbemre v SPDC. This study examines the challenges posed by locus standi in environmental litigation, which restricts access to justice for affected individuals and communities. It explores the need for a broader interpretation of standing, as adopted in other jurisdictions, to enhance environmental accountability. The research findings reveal that Nigeria’s environmental regulatory framework, though robust in scope, suffers from weak implementation and judicial conservatism. The study advocates for constitutional amendments to recognize environmental rights as justiciable, alongside procedural reforms to ease access to courts. Strengthening judicial interpretation, promoting public interest litigation, and aligning national laws with international environmental treaties are recommended. Ultimately, this research underscores the necessity of a legal framework that ensures environmental justice, safeguards human rights, and fosters sustainable development in Nigeria.

Environmental pollution is a global concern, with Nigeria being one of the highest emitters of greenhouse gases due to its crude oil production. Environmental degradation has led to adverse socio-economic impacts, including population displacement, reduced agricultural productivity, and health hazards. While several regulatory frameworks exist to combat environmental pollution, including the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, and the Climate Change Act, they are hindered by fragmented enforcement mechanisms. A significant barrier to environmental rights enforcement in Nigeria is the constitutional limitation under Section 6(6)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, which renders environmental rights non-justiciable. This limitation prevents individuals and communities from seeking legal redress for environmental harm. However, proponents argue that environmental rights remain enforceable under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as recognized in cases such as Fawehinmi v Abacha and Gbemre v SPDC. This study examines the challenges posed by locus standi in environmental litigation, which restricts access to justice for affected individuals and communities. It explores the need for a broader interpretation of standing, as adopted in other jurisdictions, to enhance environmental accountability. The research findings reveal that Nigeria’s environmental regulatory framework, though robust in scope, suffers from weak implementation and judicial conservatism. The study advocates for constitutional amendments to recognize environmental rights as justiciable, alongside procedural reforms to ease access to courts. Strengthening judicial interpretation, promoting public interest litigation, and aligning national laws with international environmental treaties are recommended. Ultimately, this research underscores the necessity of a legal framework that ensures environmental justice, safeguards human rights, and fosters sustainable development in Nigeria.

This essay studies the impacts of human activities on the decline of the environment and on nature in a bid to criticise the arbitrariness of the use of nature’s resources. This essay also examines the beauty of nature to enhance the protection and preservation of nature. This essay discusses the relationship of man with his environment by highlighting the harmony nature possesses. Through the use of poetry, this essay elucidates on aspects that have been covered by authors, but not by poets, reflecting the importance of poetry on nature. The method of research employed in this study is eco-criticism, and the primary data is Niyi Osundare’s The Eye of the Earth, from which selected poems are used. The analysis of the selected poems shall undergo line by line analysis and exploring the literary devices that enhance the main purpose of this essay. The results of the analysis are illustrations of nature decline as a result of human’s irrational use, and therefore the beauty of nature is tampered with. These results give an opinion on how the environment should be treated, adding that the preservation of nature will improve the living standards of humanity.

This study investigates the perceived problems in teaching environmental education among environmental students at the University of Benin, Nigeria. The research focused on four research questions: teaching methodologies, resource availability, teacher expertise, and student readiness, literature related to the study was carefully reviewed. The population of this study, comprised of seven Hundred and Three (703) Environmental Education students of the university of Benin, Benin City Edo state. Two hundred and fifty (250) respondents were the study's target sample. The instrument was validated by the researcher's project supervisor and two other experts in Health safety and Environment Education and the reliability of the instrument was done using Cronbach's alpha. A quantitative survey design was used and data collection was done through structured questionnaire. A descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. Findings indicate that a holistic approach addressing these challenges is necessary, including providing adequate resources, professional development for educators, and strategies to enhance student motivation. The study concludes that these integrated improvements are vital for the successful implementation of environmental education programs in African educational contexts, particularly given the continent's vulnerability to environmental challenges.

Tertiary institutions, which provide education and temporary housing for thousands of students, face environmental challenges. This study analyzed water samples from five hostels for microbiological contamination and physicochemical parameters. Bacterial counts ranged from 2 × 10¹ to 1.3 × 10³ CFU/ml, with no coliform or E. coli detected. Proteus was found in samples 1 and 2, while Pseudomonas was present in samples 3 and 4. The analysis revealed acidic pH values between 4.77 and 5.33 and low total dissolved solids (TDS) from 13 to 37 mg/l. Iron concentrations were the highest, ranging from 62.32 to 154.70 mg/kg. Manganese peaked in sample 3 (0 to 15 cm depth) with 34.46 mg/kg. Lead levels ranged from 1.25 to 3.09 mg/kg, and copper levels varied from 4.36 to 11.05 mg/kg. Cadmium levels were stable at 0.01 to 0.02 mg/kg, while arsenic and mercury were not detected. Waste characterization showed that plastics and food constitute a significant portion of hostel waste. Regular monitoring of water quality and maintenance of storage systems can enhance drinking water in student hostels. Improving waste disposal and implementing better waste segregation are also essential to minimize metal accumulation. These actions will significantly enhance waste management and drinking water quality.

The purpose of the study was to find out the awareness and effectiveness of environmental education among undergraduates in the university of Benin. Further, four (4) research questions were raised and analyzed to guide this study. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study.The population comprised (44140) undergraduates students across all faculties at the University of Benin . A Simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 150 students from four faculties(Education(7416), Agriculture(1685), Physical Science(3283) and Engineering(5481) ) . A self structured questionnaire with two sections was used as the research instrument to collect data from the sample population. The validity of the instrument was confirmed by the supervisor and two other experts in the area of health safety and environmental education. The reliability of the instrument was tested using the testretest method. The questionnaire was administered via Google forms to facilitate data collection and a period of one week was used for distribute and collect of the questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency counts and percentage The findings of the study revealed that there is a high level of awareness but low effectiveness of environmental education among undergraduates in the university of Benin. While environmental issues is been known to high level of undergraduates in the university community, lack of interest among students reduces the impact of the programmes. It was also indicated in the study that poor funding or lack of resources reduces the success of environmental education programmes, the study, it also detected in the study that the altitude of lecturers or facilitators influences how much is learnt in environmental programmes. The researcher concludes that there is high level of awareness on environmental issues among students in the school community but low effectiveness and action of environmental programmes due to poor funding and lack of resources in environmental education programmes that will later lead lack of interest among students on issues that concerns the environment, some students are eager to adopt environmental practices, but poor funding and lack of resources reduces the success of environmental education programmes, and the content of current environmental education programmes are not made more practical and action based as it should be. The researcher also recommended that the content of current environmental education programmes should be made more practical and action based, and including reallife environmental case studies.

This research study was designed to investigate the environmental factors influencing the teaching and learning of chemistry in senior secondary schools in Egor local government area. The study was aimed on the influence of environmental factors on the students learning of chemistry in senior secondary schools. Five (5) research questions were raised for the research work. The research work was designed and employed a descriptive survey method, and the research instrument for data collection was a validated questionnaire by experts and supervisor in CIT Department. Twenty (20) questionnaire copies were administered to a set of 20 senior secondary school student of chemistry for reliability. The reliability test was analyzed coefficient of 0.71 was obtained. One hundred (100) copies of the Same questionnaire were administered to the selected Senior Secondary school students, Egor local government area. Ten (10) senior secondary schools (Public and private) were selected for the purpose of this research with ten (10) students from each school, a questionnaire was given each to the students and collected back on the same day. The information gathered from the survey shows the few factors that were identified in this research includes: poor class lightening, over population in class, poor needed facilities, bad road and noisy or dusty neighbourhood. The outcome of the research reveals differences in percentage of how all those factors are common and differ within Egor local government. Though, not all the selected schools experience the same issue at the same level or percentage. The analyzed data from table shows various level in which those factors impact or affect the teaching and learning of chemistry in this local government area. The data also shows that poor lightening in class may affect the eye of the students learning, bad road will definitely result to lateness to school or class. Other effect includes: level of Motivation towards learning, tiredness during learning, poor concentration and low level of understanding are the impact of
these factors if not properly managed. The result as well shows that students in conducive learning environment factors learning faster and better compared to their fellow. The study made recommendations as a result of the findings shows that the construction of schools or learning centre site should be carefully selected and survey to avoid unnecessary disturbances. NPE policy on numbers of allowed students per class should be enforced in all schools and ensure it's effective in all schools. All the necessary facilities needed in schools should be made accessible as it facilitates the teaching and learning process. Classroom should be adequately furnished and ventilation should be at maximum to allow students learn atconvenience and comfort.

This study investigated sustainability reporting with focus on environmental, social and governance in relation to the corporate financial performance among listed companies in Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the influence of environmental, social responsibility and corporate governance disclosure on corporate financial performance. A total
of eighty-three (83) companies in agriculture, consumer goods, industrial goods, healthcare, oil and gas, and deposit money bank constituted the population while forty-five (45) companies formed the sample size. The statistical tools employed include descriptive statistics and panel least square regression. The study found that environmental and social disclosures have no significant influence, but have positive relationship with corporate financial performance, while corporate governance has significant positive relationship with corporate financial performance. The study recommended that companies should engage in environmental, social responsibility and corporate governance activities for the interest of various stakeholders