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: hari.srinivas@kwansei.ac.jp

Class website:

http://www.gdrc.info/iep