An Appraisal of Frameworks on Environmental Security in Nigeria

The nexus between environment and security has attracted more attention since the 1990s due to increasing environment-based threats to human security all over the world. In Nigeria, these threats have been associated with militancy in the Niger Delta, terrorism, suicide bombing, environmental degradation, population displacements and migration. These threats are now being exacerbated by extreme weather events, occasioned by climatic changes, as predicted in the IPCC (2007) report. Against this background, the research appraised the most relevant policies and institutional frameworks on Environmental Security in Nigeria. The study investigated the nexus between environment and security in Nigeria, using qualitative methodology anchored on content analysis, discourse analysis and field survey. It also adopted a combination of theoretical frameworks comprising the Human Needs theory, the Systemic theory and the theory of Conflict Transformation. This approach facilitated a better understanding and appreciation of the dynamics of environmental stress vis-à-vis human needs (satisfaction or frustration) as well as the interplay of systemic factors in Nigeria, in relation to consequences.