CHAPTER ONE

1.1     INTRODUCTION

          This project deals with the legal and institutional framework for the control of environmental pollution in Nigeria.  Pollution of the environment leads to the degradation of the environment which is a consequence of industrialization.

          The environment (air, water and land) remains nature’s greatest legacy to mankind.  Air, water and land constitute the basic necessities of human existence. Inspite of nature’s generous provision of these necessities of life, the environment has been and is still being polluted by man through indiscriminate disposal of domestic, commercial and industrial wastes.

          Environmental pollution leads to the degradation of the environment, which is a consequence of industrialization.  Mankind is now faced with the fact that the current rate of destruction might lead to a very bleak or even a non-existent future for the earth and its inhabitants.  The control and regulation of the use of the environment by all nations is therefore essential, because man’s life is tied to the environment.  Honourable Justice Belgore J.S.C. while expressing gladness at a seminar on environmental law stated thus:       

This gathering will discuss the problem of the survival of this earth in relation to man made destructive things now you are going to discuss the whole legal ramification of the environment in Nigeria.  But you may discover that you are thinking of life on this earth most of the time.

          Also, the Honourable Prince Bola Ajibola stated concerning the importance of the environment to life when he stated that:

It is the policy of the administration to vigorously pursue the protection of the Nigerian environment in order to preserve the quality of life of all citizens

 Yemi Osibanjo “Some public law consideration in Environmental protection” in Environmental laws in Nigeria.  J.A. Omotala ed Lagos 1990 at p. 128.

The need for Environmental protection law in Nigeria.  Shyllon F. Ed. Ibadan:  Vantage Publishers, 1989, p. 1.