ATTAINING A GREEN CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN NIGERIA: PROSPECTS AND LEGAL ISSUES
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Over the past decade, it has become a matter of some emergence to find a permanent resolution to
the global environmental crises caused by the negative impacts of the climate change, and one of
the most foremost challenges faced by nations in that pursuit is the issue of effective waste
management and resource recovery, especially within Nigeria. Thus this study set out to examine
the concept of circular economy [CE] as a viable solution model for long term resolution of this
climate and environmental crises, specifically within the Nigerian socio-economic landscape. And
this was done with a focus on the prospects available for the implementation of CE in the Nigerian
economy, as well as the principal legal issues obtainable in the process. The study utilised a
doctrinal approach to achieve this aim, laying emphasis on primary sources such as the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Climate Change Act 2021
and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Agency Act 2007 (as amended in
2018). This research work shed useful insights into both the prospects and legal issues derivable
with a circular Nigeria. It highlighted potential prospects, exploring key sectors of the economy
such as waste, water and energy sectors where the principles of CE are likely applicable. Certain
legal issues were also identified, such as problems arising from intellectual property rights, and
lack of a definitive legislative framework on CE. The research concluded by making
recommendations as resolution to the issues discussed beforehand, and the practices of more
developed jurisdictions were considered. It was recommended that a proper legislation be prepared
specifically with the aim of attaining CE in Nigeria, and such legislation should ideally be tailored
to the specific socio-economic and political conditions present in Nigeria.
Word count: 292
Key words: circular economy [CE], environment, waste management, legal issues, prospects
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