PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MECHANISMS IN ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA

The significance of public participation in environmental governance is inherent in its ability to validate, legitimate and democratize environment-related decisions made or intended to be made by public authorities in exercise of their powers to approve construction projects, make physical development plans, grant licences, permits, approvals and leases or make policies and/or binding legal instruments that may have significant effects on the environment or livelihoods of the public concerned. With a thorough review of subject-specific literature on public participation and relevant environment-related enactments in Nigeria, the article explores and enlightens on the status of public participation in Nigeria, with highlights on different mechanisms through which public participation can be statutorily actualized in Nigeria. The article identifies that while some of the reviewed statutes recognize public participation as a right and others recognize it as a mere privilege that is subject to the discretion of certain public authorities, most mechanisms for public participation are not statutorily structured in a way that will ensure effective and meaningful public participation in line with international standards and best practices.This, in a way, affects the reputation of Nigeria as a leader in the African region. With insights drawn from the Aarhus Convention and other international documents/instruments, practical recommendations are made on how Nigeria can tailor its laws and policies on public participation to meet international best practices.