A CRITICAL INSIGHT INTO ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA: ISSUES AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

Care for the environment is everyone’s responsibility for the protection, preservation and sustenance of environmental resources for well-being of biodiversity. Currently, many nations face enormous environmental challenges. This paper offers a critical insight into environmental challenges in Nigeria and proposes corresponding solutions for just and supportive attitudes towards the environment. Various factors are said to be responsible for that environmental problems in Nigeria. This ranges from not being patriotic, poor environmental awareness, non-implementation of national environmental policies, and the persistent lack of commitment to focused environmental management and development strategies. The most popular among the prescriptions for tackling the phenomenon of environmental challenges emphasized national policies, cultivation of environmental ethics, transparency and accountability in agencies directly involved in environmental management. Presently, these solutions have not been able to adequately address Nigeria’s environmental challenges. However, the crucial role of the regulatory bodies, especially their oversight functions and personal aggrandizement have arguably been the ado for environmental care and the missing link in enforcing national policies and environmental development in Nigeria. The paper therefore recommends that Nigerian government should developed practical and effective laws and policies at all levels to address biodiversity issues which include careful and systematic planning based on comprehensive framework of laws that define processes, obligations and responsibilities. Again, Non-Governmental Agencies as well as individuals should committedly join the force to ensure safe environment for all.