Sustainable Development and National Integration: A Catalyst for Enhancing Environmental Law

What is it about?

This study delves into the pivotal roles played by sustainable development and national integration in advancing legal compliance, environmental protection, and sustainability within Nigeria. Employing a doctrinal and conceptual legal research approach, it meticulously examines pertinent literature, international exemplars, and conducts an exhaustive analysis of primary and secondary legal sources, including the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Climate Change Act of 2021, and relevant international instruments. An effort has been made to examine extant sustainable development practices, presenting an encompassing snapshot of the nation’s legal, environmental, and sustainability apprehensions, while also addressing the attendant challenges. Moreover, it undertakes a comprehensive evaluation of Nigeria’s prevailing legal framework concerning environmental protection, delving into its potential for long-term sustainability. The findings resoundingly underscore the potency of sustainable development as a strategic avenue for achieving legal compliance, environmental protection, and enduring sustainability. Importantly, the study unveils that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) find manifestation within Chapter II of the Constitution, albeit in a non-justiciable form, thereby impeding the stride toward their attainment. Nevertheless, it accentuates the necessity for an approach that meticulously factors in Nigeria’s distinctive context and specific requisites, thereby fostering effectiveness through national integration, policy execution, effective communication, and collaborative synergy across stakeholders within both the public and private domains. Essential to the realization of SDGs’ objectives is a synergistic collaboration amongst the government, academia, and non-governmental organizations. This study illuminates the latent potential of sustainable development and national integration as efficacious strategies for propelling legal compliance, environmental protection, and sustainability. It proffers a recommendation for the assimilation of innovative paradigms that have proven successful in mitigating environmental degradation elsewhere. Ultimately, the study ardently advocates for comprehensive overhauls to systematically address Nigeria’s complex entanglements encompassing legality, environment, and sustainability. Furthermore, the study ardently champions the elimination of the provision stipulated in section 6(6)(c) of the 1999 Constitution as a crucial step towards realizing the SDGs’ objectives within Nigeria.

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Why is it important?

Sustainable development and national integration are crucial for enhancing environmental law compliance in Nigeria. Sustainable development ensures that economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection are balanced, fostering long-term prosperity. By integrating sustainable practices, Nigeria can mitigate environmental degradation, promote the efficient use of resources, and safeguard ecosystems, which are vital for the well-being of current and future generations. National integration plays a pivotal role by uniting diverse ethnic and cultural groups towards common goals, including environmental protection. When citizens feel a sense of belonging and shared purpose, they are more likely to support and comply with environmental laws. This collective effort can significantly improve the effectiveness of regulations designed to protect the environment. Furthermore, sustainable development and national integration can drive policy coherence and strengthen institutional frameworks. This ensures that environmental laws are not only well-designed but also effectively enforced. It encourages the participation of all stakeholders, from government and businesses to communities and individuals, in environmental governance. By fostering a unified approach to sustainable development, Nigeria can create a robust platform for addressing environmental challenges. This enhances compliance with environmental laws, ultimately leading to improved environmental quality, resilience against climate change, and sustainable economic growth. Thus, integrating sustainability and national unity is a catalyst for achieving environmental law compliance in Nigeria.

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