Climate Change Litigation in Nigeria: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is clear on the fact that ‘Africa is one of the most vulnerable continents to climate variability and change.’ True to this fact, Nigeria, whose oil and gas industry contributes massively to the global rise of greenhouse gas emissions through gas flaring, is experiencing the adverse effects of climate change in term of increasing cases of droughts, floods, amongst others. Considering the potential contributions which a national court can make in halting human activities that undermine climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, this chapter assesses from diverse perspectives, the status and possibility of climate change-related litigation by individuals before national courts in Nigeria. The analysis shows that, though desirable, climate change litigation in Nigeria is, at best, at its infancy, and that a lot needs to be done to more fully and effectively realise its potential in the country. To that effect, ideas on the way forward were provided.