NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OF:
NIGERIA
HARI SRINIVASROOM: I -312 / 079 -565-7406
International Environmental Policy
Locationof Nigeria
NigeriaNigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Basic statistics
Nigeria has the 7th largest population in the world and the highest in Africa ( = Japan is 10th largest)
GDP – US$1 for Nigeria is US$20 for Japan
Nigeria’s GDP
Oil and oil products are the main exports of the country.
India is the second largest trade partner (exports and imports) of Nigeria, after the US.
A Quick Look at Nigeria’s History
British influence and control over what would become Nigeria and Africa's most populous country grew through the 19th century.
A series of constitutions after World War II granted Nigeria greater autonomy; independence came in 1960.
Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed.
The government continues to face the daunting task of reforming a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy.
In addition, Nigeria continues to experience longstanding ethnic and religious tensions.
Although both the 2003 and 2007 presidential elections were marred by significant irregularities and violence, Nigeria is currently experiencing its longest period of civilian rule since independence.
The general elections of April 2007 marked the first civilian-to-civilian transfer of power in the country's history.
Historical trends and Conflicts
Pre-Colonization
Period
Colonization Period
(British)
Post Independence
Period
1890-1990~ 1890s 1990s ~
Tribal Conflicts
Ancient kingdoms and tribal lands – minimal impact
on the environment
Civil wars/conflicts
Exploitation of mineral resources
by British – no benefit for local
people
Religious conflicts
Exploitation by multinational companies – corruption, poverty and unbalanced
growth
The Ripple Effect
Conflict between
North and South
Nigeria
Conflict destroys
local environment
Refugees and displaced
persons basic needs met from
local environment
Instability and conflict leading to low priority
for environmental
issues
Usual problems of developing countries
Causes of Environmental Problems
Oil IndustryEnvironmental consequences and impacts
• Lack of investment• Lack of skills and
jobs• Lack of finance• Corruption• Lack of water
supply• Lack of sanitation• Poor health
Types of Pollution: AIR
Main causes of air pollution include:
Gaseous discharge from industriesIndiscriminate and open burning of wasteBush burningGas flaringIndoor cookingEmissions from generatorsMining activities
Types of Pollution: WATER
Main causes of water pollution include:
Untreated or partially treated industrial waste water
Municipal sewageAgricultural run-off (perticide, fertilizer etc.)Indiscriminate dumping of wasteAcid depositionDischarge from waste dumpsiteSaline intruusion (mixing of Seawater)
Types of pollution: LAND
Main causes of land pollution include:
Indiscriminate dumping of industrial, municipal and hazardous wastes
Industrial effluents and household sewageTailing from mining industries (earth that is
moved when metals and other minerals are mined)
Industry sector Pollution
Petroleum and Petrochemicals - air, water
Mining - tailings, waterIron and Steel - Water,
air, solid wastesTextiles - waste water,
solid wastes, airFood and beverages -
organic wastes
Oil Industry: The Good and Bad
Oil Industry
Highest Export Earner
Oil spills and
accidents
Oil sabotage
Oil processin
g
TECHNOLOGY DIMENSION
SOCIO-CULTURALDIMENSION
ECONOMIC DIMENSION
EN
VIR
ON
ME
NTA
LD
IME
NS
ION
Industrial Wastes
Industrial wastes
80% discharge
directly into the open
Existing waste
treatment facilities
are poorly maintained
Dumpsites are not
maintained in a
environmentally friendly manner
High cost of reducing pollution reduction
Lack of technology to reduce pollution
Lack of expertise to
reduce pollution
Oil and Environment Links - 1
OIL SPILLS
Land contamination
Water and Groundwater Pollution
Poor Water Supply for households
Oil and Environment Links - 2
OIL FIRES AND ACCIDENTS
Risk to Human Lives
CO2 and GHG Emissions
Poor Human and Community Health
Oil and Environment Links - 3
OIL EXPLORATION
Cutting of Forests
Soil Erosion and Flood disasters
Increased CO2 Emissions and Climate
Change
Unbalanced Wealth
?!!
Largest producer of oil in Africa; 95% of national export is oil
50% of people below the poverty line (earning US$2 per day); poor education and health; most survive on agriculture jobs
Framework for Environmental Management
Nigerian ConstitutionNational Policy on
EnvironmentAct 42 of 1988 on Trade in
Toxic WastesRegulations on wastewater
from IndustriesRegulations on Management
of Solid and Hazardous Wastes
Environmental Impact Assessment
Institutional Framework
• Federal Ministry of Environment(National level)
• Departments of Environment (State Level)
• Other agencies related to oil spills etc.
Some Key Policy Problems
Institutional constraints
Enforcement and monitoring
RegulationsCapacities -
Financial, Personnel, Technical
Data and InformationIndustrial and
Economic policies
The Real Policy Dilemma
Very Good Policy
Very Poor Implementati
onMmm … ?!!
• Conflicting priorities and lack of integration
• Poor governance and corruption
• Lack of expertise and finance
• Poverty and special needs of the poor
Putting the pieces together …
The resources for a good, rich country are available in
Nigeria
Mmm … ?!!
The country needs good governance and strong leadership to put the resources together
Environmental Business Opportunity
Transnational Oil Companies
- Shell- Total- ExxonMobil- Chevron- Agip
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• Environmental Reporting
• Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001)
• Civil Society Partnerships
Strong leadership by companies in environmental management?
Future Trends: Environmental Policies
Environmental Policies
Trade Policies
Energy Policies
Agricultural Policies
Urbanization Policies
Gender Policies
Poverty Reduction
Policies
Future Trends: Environmental Policies
Tradable Commodities of/for the environment – for example emissions trading
Stock Exchange – exchange of industrial wastes for reuse and recycling
Concession – investment in environmental issues may become tax-free, or
Developmental Benefits
Environmental Benefits
Social benefits(improved quality of life)
Cultural Benefits(“Pride of Place”)
Economic Benefits(Jobs/income, Tourism etc.)
Good Environment
al Policy
Contact me …
Prof. Hari SrinivasRoom: I-312
Tel: 079-565-7406Email: [email protected]
Class website:
http://www.gdrc.info/iep