Environmental Governance And Oil And Gas Exploration In Nigeria: A Critical Appraisal Of The Legal And Institutional Frameworks

Publication Details

Publication Date

10/10/2026

Volume / Issue

Vol 1, Issue 5 (2026)

Article No.

001

Journal

British Journal of Contemporary Research

DOI

https://doi.org/10.67693/BJCR-UNB7ZS9P

Received

01 Sep 2026

Views

24

Downloads

16

Abstract

Nigeria’s oil and gas industry remains central to national economic development, revenue generation and energy supply, but petroleum exploration and production have also produced persistent environmental challenges, particularly in the Niger Delta. Oil spills, hydrocarbon contamination of soil and water, gas flaring, ecosystem degradation, petroleum waste, biodiversity loss and the environmental consequences of crude-oil theft and illegal refining continue to affect ecological integrity, public health and community livelihoods. This article critically examined the legal and institutional framework governing environmental protection in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, with particular attention to the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency Act, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency Act and relevant subsidiary regulations. It evaluated the respective environmental responsibilities of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and other relevant institutions, focusing on institutional coordination, enforcement, remediation, financial responsibility and access to environmental justice. The article adopted a doctrinal and comparative methodology, complemented by relevant empirical and institutional evidence. Comparative perspectives from Norway, the United States and Ghana were examined to identify regulatory approaches capable of strengthening Nigeria’s environmental governance. The article found that Nigeria possesses a substantial legal and institutional framework, but significant gaps remain between legal prescription and environmental outcomes. It therefore recommended stronger institutional coordination, continuous environmental monitoring, transparent enforcement, adequate remediation financing, independent verification of restoration and meaningful community participation.

License

This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License . Free to read, share, and adapt with attribution.