This report provides an in-depth analysis of the environmental governance landscape in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, a territory rich in natural resources yet plagued by systemic pollution, institutional failure, and community disempowerment. Produced by Centre LSD, the publication evaluates the capacity, accountability, and responsiveness of environmental institutions, and the extent to which policy and legal frameworks are implemented to safeguard both ecosystems and communities.

The report contextualizes environmental degradation in the region as a result of oil exploration and production, compounded by gas flaring, oil spills, artisanal refining, and weak enforcement of environmental laws. It documents the persistent gap between policy commitments and actual practices, noting that agencies like NOSDRA and NESREA are frequently underfunded, politically constrained, and disconnected from grassroots realities.

Through field observations and stakeholder consultations, the study identifies a consistent pattern of exclusion, where community members are sidelined from environmental decision-making and redress mechanisms. Traditional rulers, youth, and women’s groups report feeling ignored or exploited in regulatory and remediation processes.

Despite these challenges, the report also identifies opportunities for transformation. It advocates for a new model of participatory environmental governance that prioritizes community ownership, transparency, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. Key recommendations include decentralizing environmental management, enforcing corporate accountability, integrating traditional institutions into oversight, and strengthening local capacity for monitoring and reporting.

Environmental Governance in the Niger Delta is a critical tool for policymakers, civil society actors, environmental advocates, and development partners seeking to shift the region from environmental injustice to sustainability and resilience.