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| Nigeria's national flag. |
Nigeria is fifty! Meaning its now fifty years since independence from colonial rule was gained on October 1, 1960. Located in West Africa and with a population of about 150 million people, it is the most populous nation in Africa. Given its sheer size, it is no surprise that the country 'potentially' yields a lot of influence on the entire African continent and the world at large. Here, I focus on the prospects, challenges and importance of an identifiable and visionary 'green' or environmental agenda for this country as it turns fifty.
Nigeria has never been lacking in environmental problems: from desertification in the North to oil-spillages in the South, soil erosion in the East and indiscriminate waste disposal in the West. Indeed, since the discovery of oil in Nigeria in the 50s, it's story has been as expressed in an article titled: The day oil was discovered in Nigeria, a tragedy of corruption, kidnapping, inequity and social injustice. With its economy dependent on the exportation of oil which is 94% of it total export, the environmental consequences of oil dependency have been catastrophic. So at 50, what should Nigeria's environmental agenda be at both international and domestic fronts?
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| Sani, hopeful about Nigeria's future! |
The Golden jubilee independence celebrations presents an opportunity for Nigeria to reposition itself environmentally for a brighter future. With hardly anything to celebrate save for the corporate existence of the country, the younger generation have chosen to be hopeful. For example, Sani, a young lawyer (pictured on the right) expresses the need to be hopeful on his face-book page, he puts it rather metaphorically: 'I knw some pple dont see d need to celebrate Nijar @ 50... i understand, but give Nijar d credit of getting marrd at a young age to about 250 ethnics with 3 claiming to be the most dominant... as a Virgin and inexperienced husband, he shd be giving credit keeping d marriage without divorce for 50yrs... pls find somting good about nijar 2 celebrate...'. This brand of new-generation Nigerians deserve commendation, and a decent green agenda by the government will help materialise their hope.
The Green Agenda
The first green agenda that I propose is on the need to combat climate change and its impact. Yes, despite the scepticism about climate change, indications from home and abroad show that it is real. Climate change remains the most challenging environmental problem in today's world, and its impacts will hurt the poor more. Hotter climates, flooding, food shortages, rising sea-levels, rural-urban migration, diseases and wars are amongst the numerous effects of climate change as confirmed by the Fourth Assessment Report 2007 of the IPCC. With 70% of its population living in poverty the impact of climate change on Nigeria will be devastating if the government does not begin now to undertake both mitigation and adaptation measures. The other major impact climate change will have on Nigeria is a massive drop in external revenue. With a fossil-fuel powered economy, dependent on the purchasing power of the West, Nigeria's earnings will be greatly reduced as the West switches to alternative energy sources, like solar power, bio-fuels and nuclear energy. What then must Nigeria do?
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| Wind energy |
Firstly, as a signatory and ratifier of major international climate change instruments- the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol and the Copenhagen Accord, Nigeria must lay claim to the financial and technological incentives made available to aid developing countries in adaptation and mitigation measures. Secondly, Nigeria must 'up its game' at the international conferences and negotiations aimed at adopting an international climate instrument to succeed the Kyoto Protocol. Thus, Nigeria must use its influence in the West African sub-region and the entire African continent to secure regional cooperation that will enable developing countries to get a 'fair bargain' under a post-2012 international climate regime. Hitherto, Nigeria appears to have abdicated its regional and continental leadership to South Africa, a development that does not help it's international image and climate change negotiations are an opportunity to re-gain the envious status of a regional super-power! Thirdly, Nigeria must resort to alternative energy sources. There is the need to explore the possibilities of using solar power, bio-fuels, nuclear energy, wind energy and a host of other renewable energy sources to complement oil if not to totally replace it.
The second green agenda that I propose is to produce a natural resources and waste management policy that reflects the times in which we live. Government should introduce immediately an agenda to transform Nigeria into a recycling society. By recycling it is meant the re-use of materials in a manner that extends the life-cycle of products, materials and substances. On this one, Nigeria can take a cue from the European Union's Thematic Strategy on Prevention and Recycling of Waste and the EU Waste Framework Directive 2008. Borrowing from these two EU legislative instruments, Nigeria's natural resources and waste management policy should seek to prioritise the management of waste and resources in the following order of preference:
- prevention
- re-use
- recycling
- recovery and
- disposal.
While this sort of hierarchy makes waste prevention the most environmentally sound natural resources and waste management option, it makes waste disposal the least environmentally sound option and hence should be avoided whenever possible. The advantages of these are numerous: First, it will reduce the over all negative environmental impacts of resource use; secondly, it will enhance waste prevention and promote the re-use, recycling and recovery of natural resources, materials and substances; thirdly, if implemented effectively, Nigeria could emerge as a recycling society where waste is avoided and waste is used as a resource.
On the whole, a visionary and well implemented green agenda will enable the development and use of green technologies as well as generate employment for Nigeria and its people. Although at present it may appear as if the beauties and glamours of this great nation have been weathered away like yesterday, like Sani, I am hopeful about its future. Economically, socially, and politically Nigeria may be a dwarf today, but a well articulated and implemented green agenda can make it a giant tomorrow. At 50, Nigeria I say 'the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain'! Even Beyonce has got hope in Nigeria!! Hurray!!!
