by Faridat salifu
The Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) has called on Nigeria’s lawmakers to make environmental protection a fundamental right under the Constitution and repeal the Land Use Act.
EDEN Executive Director, Prince Chima Williams, made the demand during the House of Representatives Zonal Public Hearing on Constitutional Review held Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Lagos.
He argued that Section 20 of the 1999 Constitution places environmental protection under Chapter 2 — the directive principles of state policy — which is non-justiciable and therefore not legally enforceable.
Williams called for its relocation to Chapter 4, which guarantees enforceable fundamental human rights, saying: “Life depends on the environment, and it should be treated as a right.”
The group also demanded the creation of environmental courts within existing Federal and State High Courts to fast-track environment-related litigation.
According to Williams, delayed court decisions often result in claimants dying before judgments are delivered.
He noted that most environmental degradation in Nigeria comes from extractive industries and proposed that petroleum-related matters be moved from the Exclusive to the Concurrent Legislative List, allowing both federal and state governments to legislate and adjudicate on environmental issues.
On land tenure, EDEN proposed a repeal of the Land Use Act or, at the very least, the removal of sections granting state governors exclusive control of land.
“Land should revert to communities and individuals for economic empowerment,” Williams said.
EDEN also made recommendations on electoral reforms, including a two-phase election timetable starting with legislative elections and concluding with governorship and presidential polls within five working days.
The group further proposed a mandatory 90-day resignation window for electoral candidates and a requirement that all election disputes be resolved before swearing-in.
Williams noted that EDEN had made similar presentations in Enugu and Bayelsa and plans to appear before the National Public Hearing in Abuja.
