[01] Olufemi Samson Adesina, School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom. [02] Ibrahim Mohammed, School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom. [03] Kolade Victor Otokiti, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

Following the industrial revolution and the subsequent expansion in the exploration of natural resources, the human environment has been impacted greatly. In Nigeria, the activities of the oil industry in the Niger Delta Region have compromised the ability of the environment to provide many of its services. Although environmental laws such as the “polluter pay principle” have been adapted to checkmate oil spillage, it should be noted that these laws evolved over the years and will continue to evolve with different approaches. In Nigeria, most of the laws until recently were left without reform, thus they no longer protect the environment any more. Moreover, enforcing these laws in developing countries has been challenging. The economic exploitation of the environment has grossly undermined the inviolability of a healthy environment and the sanctity of human rights in Nigeria. Therefore, this study elicits several lacunas in the existing environmental laws in Nigeria and also addresses the challenges of reforming and enforcing environmental laws in achieving environmental sustainability. The study reviewed and referenced journal articles, technical reports, online archives, textbooks and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This study affirms that, environmental degradation as a result of oil exploration in the Niger Delta region has continued to cause negative effects on the wellbeing of the people as it renders a large portion of the environment unsafe with toxic waste proliferating at an alarming rate. In an attempt to immunize the environment against environmental degradation, the study suggests that environmental laws should undergo frequent review and enforced without any iota of compromise in Nigeria, integratingand engaging every stakeholder most especially, those in the oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta region.

Environmental Pollution, Environmental Laws, Oil Spillage, Niger Delta, Nigeria

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