Environmental Policymaking and Implementation in Nigeria: The Case of Climate Change Mitigation

Climate change demands a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and the implementation of climate change mitigation policies is crucial in meeting this goal. However, the implementation of climate change mitigation policies has been a challenge in many parts of the world, due to political, institutional, social, economic, and cultural factors. Although, the institutional barriers to environmental policy implementation are well documented, the socio-economic constraints, from the resource-poor perspective in low in-come countries like Nigeria, have received little discussion. This study draws on theories of policy implementation processes, such as the Contextual Interaction Theory, and views from the literature on environmental management and resistance to policy change to develop an original framework through which the socio-economic factors that shape environmental policy implementation in the context of resource-poor people can be explained. Using a mixed research method, with mostly a qualitative approach, which involved 57 Semi-structured Interviews, 42 Qualitative Survey Questionnaires and Participants Observation, with policymakers, academics, and civil society activists, I explore how the implementation of low-carbon energy and forest management policies is unfolding in Nigeria between 2010 and 2021 and the implication on its 2030 targets. This thesis contributes to the environmental management and policy implementation literature by showing how the implementation of climate change policies confronts social and economic challenges in the contexts of developing countries. The study identifies resources, social safeguards and stakeholders' involvement in policy design and decision-making processes as key factors that promote motivation and feasibility for the sustained adoption of renewable energy, energy efficient, and forest conservation practices amongst the resource-poor population. However, where these factors are lacking, resistance may occur. Thus, this study suggests that a more holistic and strategic approach to environmental management that speaks to Nigeria's socio-economic contexts should be employed in the design and implementation of climate change mitigation policies. Adopting this approach could result in pro-environmental behaviour and the motivation and support for sustained adoption of renewable energy and energy-efficient and conservation practices.