ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AS A VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS: ITS IMPACTS ON THE WELLBEING OF HUMANS AND POLICY CONSIDERATION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined environmental degradation as a violation of Human Rights: Its impacts on
the wellbeing of humans and policy consideration in Nigeria. In Nigeria, natural occurrences and
human activities, including the activities of oil corporations have indubitably caused the
degradation of the environment, to the extent that citizens no longer have access to clean water,
quality air, productive land, etc. This scenario has adversely impacted on the health, livelihoods,
wellbeing and cultural heritage of Nigerians, prompting the germane question of whether or not
environmental degradation constitutes a violation of human rights in Nigeria. This study
followed a doctrinal methodology and in tackling this vexed question, the study inter alia
considered the various environmental degradation and their impacts on Nigeria, and the National
Policy on environmental degradation in Nigeria, with a view towards ascertaining whether
environmental degradation actually affects a particular right or some sorts of rights/wellbeing of
Nigerian citizens and to what extent. It was found, amongst others that the sole purpose of
implementation of the Policy on environmental degradation in Nigeria, is to guarantee Nigerian
citizens the rights to a clean and healthy environment.