Gas Flaring in Nigeria’s Niger Delta: Legal Challenges and Lessons from Norway’s Regulatory Framework

Gas flaring remains a persistent environmental and human rights challenge in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, exacerbated by inadequate enforcement of extant laws. This article employs a doctrinal and comparative methodology to critically examine the legal frameworks governing gas flaring in Nigeria, including the 1999 Constitution, the Petroleum Industry Act, the Flare Gas (Prevention of Waste and Pollution) Regulations, and the Environmental Impact Assessment Act. It highlights the adverse effects of gas flaring, such as environmental degradation, health risks, and economic losses, and juxtaposes Nigeria’s approach with Norway’s successful gas flaring abatement regime. The findings reveal that while Nigeria has adequate laws, their enforcement remains weak due to infrastructural deficits and a lack of political will. The article recommends stricter enforcement of existing laws, investment in gas utilization infrastructure, and adoption of international best practices, such as Norway’s regulatory oversight and technological advancements, to eliminate gas flaring and promote sustainable development in the Niger Delta.