A Legal Pathway to a Low-Carbon Future: Nigeria's Commitment under the Paris Agreement and other Domestic Implications

Abstract

Nigeria's journey toward achieving its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement represents a critical juncture in the country's environmental governance trajectory. This article examines the legal frameworks, institutional mechanisms, and domestic implications of Nigeria's climate change obligations, with particular emphasis on the transformative potential of the 2021 Climate Change Act. Through comprehensive analysis of Nigeria's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), emerging climate litigation patterns, and comparative assessment with regional counterparts, this study reveals both the promise and challenges inherent in Nigeria's low-carbon transition. The research demonstrates that while Nigeria has established a robust legal foundation through its Climate Change Act and related environmental legislation, significant implementation gaps persist, particularly in areas of institutional coordination, financing mechanisms, and judicial enforcement. The findings suggest that Nigeria's path to achieving its climate targets will require enhanced integration between international commitments and domestic legal frameworks, strengthened institutional capacity, and innovative approaches to climate litigation that can drive meaningful policy change.