Dogged by weak enforcement and limited political commitment, environmental experts have called for a stronger institutional framework and more effective enforcement of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act.
Five years after its enactment, they said the law remains largely dormant and has delivered little, citing weak implementation, poor funding, and inadequate protection for vulnerable communities.
These concerns were raised at a webinar organised by the International Centre for Energy, Environment and Development (ICEED) and the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), with support from the African Climate Foundation.
The session, titled “The Role of Lawyers in Strengthening Implementation of the Climate Change Act, 2021,” brought together academics, lawyers, and a former government official involved in implementing the law.
The webinar forms part of a broader initiative aimed at strengthening legal expertise in climate governance. Organisers said recommendations from the series would be compiled and presented to the government, including proposals for possible amendments to the Act.
Speaking at the event, the pioneer Director-General of the Climate Change Commission, Dr Salisu Dahiru, said implementation has reached no more than 10 to 15 per cent since the law was enacted.
“After five years and all the efforts that went into its production, I don’t think we have attained more than 10 to 15 per cent in terms of implementation,” he said, attributing the slow pace to a lack of political will.
Nigeria was among the few African countries to enact a dedicated climate law, a move that drew international praise. However, Dahiru noted that the initial momentum has not been sustained.
“There is no clear leadership or commitment to make climate change central to Nigeria’s development agenda,” he added.
Experts also pointed to structural and policy gaps within the law. Associate Professor of Law at the University of Bradford, Dr Pedi Obani, said that although the Act supports multi-sectoral climate governance, it does not give sufficient attention to adaptation, an area critical for Nigeria.
Obani also raised concerns about governance and funding. She noted that while the President chairs the National Council on Climate Change, funding sources depend largely on government allocations and external support. “There is no stable, dedicated funding base for climate action under the Act,” she said, calling for stronger financial safeguards.
She further highlighted a structural concern: the President chairs the climate council while simultaneously serving as head of the Federal Executive Council and, in the current arrangement, overseeing the petroleum portfolio. “If there are competing economic priorities, won’t that be an issue?” she asked.
Obani called for shielding the council’s funding from political interference, noting that an earlier version of the bill included a percentage of the ecological fund as a dedicated source, an element that was removed before passage.
On enforcement, Executive Director of the Environmental Defence Network, Chima Williams, said the law does not provide citizens with clear mechanisms to demand compliance. “There is no clear provision protecting citizens’ rights or enabling them to enforce the law where there is non-compliance,” he said.
Williams noted that enforcement powers rest with a council led by top government officials who enjoy constitutional immunity, making accountability difficult. He also pointed to delays in enforcing environmental judgments, citing longstanding cases against oil companies.
The experts further observed that the Act does not directly penalise gas flaring, a major source of emissions, but instead addresses it indirectly through broader carbon targets. Despite these gaps, speakers said the law still provides room for action. Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law at Bingham University, Dr Julius Beida, urged lawyers in government agencies to ensure compliance with provisions requiring climate desks in ministries and the integration of climate
considerations into budgeting and procurement.
He also called on legal practitioners to support private sector compliance, noting that companies are required to meet carbon targets and appoint sustainability officers. “Lawyers are key to driving compliance and implementation,” he said.
On the judiciary, Dr Izuoma Egeruoh-Adindu of NIALS stressed the need to strengthen capacity to handle climate-related cases. She urged the designation of more environmental courts and faster resolution of such matters.
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