The Environment, Oil and Human Rights in Nigeria

Abstract

The objectives of this article are two-fold: to present a critical view of the relationship between fundamental human rights, social rights, the oil and gas industry in Nigeria and the environment. In so doing, regard will be had to some international conventions, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, various literature on the subject and decided cases. The reason for picking this topic is not far-fetched. No discussion on development and the well being of human beings can take place without regard to the right to life, the natural capital called land, natural resources which includes oil and gas and the environment in which life itself must flourish. All human activities must take place in the environment in which humans have found themselves. This article is in four parts, the first part attempts to define ‘environment’ and introduces efforts to care for or protect the environment. The second presents human rights and its relationship to the environment or environmental rights. The third discusses the protection of the environment through legislation and the fourth analyses the possible effect that direct legislation can have on the oil industry activities and the possible effects for future environmental rights and issues. The work concludes by way of some pieces of advice and recommendations on environmental protection in the oil industry.