ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: THE NIGERIA’S PERSPECTIVE

The environment is the major life support system given by the almighty God to humanity. Before the inventions of science and technology, the three components of the environment - air, soil and water were virgin, pure, undisturbed, uncontaminated and basically most hospitable. However, the reverse becomes the case nowadays leading to environmental degradation and erosion destruction. However, in order to control the environmental problems, Nigerian government formulated environmental protection policies, starting from 1915 to 1992. In addition, Nigeria formulated its first national policy in the environment in 1991 and revised in 1999. Recently (November, 2016), new policy on environment was formulated by the Federal Government in Nigeria. The paper discusses the environmental problems in Nigeria including environmental degradation in Niger Delta, erosion, gas flaring, water pollution, soil contamination, among others. Environmental Determinism theory is applied with some valid recommendations made. Conclusions are drawn from major issues discussed.