Issues in environmental management for sustainable development in nigeria

Summary

In Nigeria, an increased level of consciousness is observable with regard to the complex relationship that exists between development and the quality of the environment. However, there remains much to be done by way of actually developing the mechanism and legislative backing for reconciling environmental imperatives with developmental goals. Nigeria, like many other developing countries, is beset with such environmental problems as desertification, deterioration of urban physical quality, land degradation, deforestation, soil erosion, and flooding. It has been established that these problems emanate mainly from human activities created in the quest to achieve a higher level of development. The implication is that sufficient precautions have not been taken to balance development objectives against the need to maintain desirable environmental quality.

The policy responses that have so far resulted from these problems include: the establishment of a Federal Ministry which is charged solely with the responsibility for environment related issues, the institution of a War Against Indiscipline (WAI) campaign with environmental sanitation as one of its key components, the initiation and sponsorship of national conferences on issues related to the environment, the establishment of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, and the launching of a National Policy on the Environment.

While it can be conceded that a start has been made towards the attainment of sustainable development, Nigeria presently needs the necessary technical, administrative and legislative ‘back-up’ for more effective integration of environmental concems with national and local development policies.