ENVIRONMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

The escalating impacts of climate change in Nigeria, including oil pollution, deforestation, and flooding, necessitate robust legal mechanisms to ensure environmental accountability. This study evaluates climate change litigation and environmental accountability in Nigeria, focusing on the efficacy of judicial and regulatory frameworks in addressing environmental degradation. Through a doctrinal methodology, the study analyzes constitutional provisions, statutes like the Environmental Impact Assessment Act 1992, and landmark cases such as Gbemre v Shell Petroleum Development Company (2005). It examines challenges in litigation, including locus standi, judicial capacity, and enforcement gaps, alongside the roles of regulatory bodies like NESREA and civil society in promoting accountability. Findings reveal that while Nigeria’s legal framework provides a foundation for climate litigation, inconsistent enforcement, limited judicial expertise, and corporate non- compliance hinder effectiveness. The study recommends legislative reforms to strengthen
environmental rights, enhanced judicial training, and greater public participation to bolster accountability. By addressing these gaps, Nigeria can align with international obligations under the Paris Agreement and African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights 1981, fostering sustainable environmental governance. This research underscores the urgent need
for a proactive judiciary and robust regulatory mechanisms to mitigate climate change impacts and ensure corporate and governmental accountability in Nigeria’s environmental landscape.