A Critical Analysis of Climate Change and Climate Justice in Nigeria

In Nigeria, measures to combat climate change have encompassed the implementation of national frameworks such as the National Climate Change Policy and Response Strategy and the Climate Change Act 2021, as well as the creation of dedicated institutions like the National Council on Climate Change. This research reviews and analyses the concept of climate change and climate justice from various scholastic perspective. It also x-rays on institutional frameworks and also includes recommendations. Access to climate justice matter in Nigeria depend largely on the existence of adequate institutions and effective implementation of rules of procedure governing them. This research work critically examines and discusses the challenges and impacts of climate change in Nigeria. It equally examines the various legal and national framework put in place to ensure achievement of climate justice. The study established a clear link between climate change and climate justice, assessed current measures, identified policy gaps, and developed a comprehensive framework for sustainable development and access to climate justice in Nigeria. The study critically analyses Nigeria’s existing climate policies, legal instruments such as the Climate Change Act (2021), and international commitments under the Paris Agreement to assess their alignment with the principles of climate justice. The research further identifies key challenges including poor policy implementation, weak institutional frameworks, exclusion of vulnerable groups from decision making, lack of climate finance access, and environmental degradation especially in the Niger Delta region. The research concludes that climate change in Nigeria cannot be addressed effectively without a strong commitment to justice, it recommends need forest conservation and reforestation, encourages co-friendly products. It is therefore my humble submission that climate justice must be central to Nigeria’s development agenda and strict compliance with these theories will ensure a fair and sustainable response to climate crisis.