NEOLIBERALISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL DECLINE IN AFRICA: WHY GLOBAL CLIMATE AGENDAS UNDERMINE NIGERIA’S DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES

Abstract

This paper interrogates the intersection of neoliberal economic policies, environmental degradation, and global climate governance in Africa, with a particular focus on Nigeria. It posits that the implementation of neoliberal reforms, which are characterized by privatization, deregulation, and influx of foreign investment has systematically, diminished the state’s regulatory capacity. This reduction in capacity has been linked to an exacerbated environmental degradation, and the entrenchment of resource extraction as the primary mechanism for economic growth. Simultaneously, global climate agendas, shaped predominantly by industrialized nations, impose stringent de-carbonization frameworks that frequently conflict with the economic realities faced by resource-dependent economies such as Nigeria. The paper explores the inherent contradictions that exist among environmental sustainability, economic growth, and energy security, highlighting how international climate commitments, climate finance mechanisms, and policy prescripts often undermine Nigeria’s developmental priorities. Through the examination of relevant case studies and historical contexts, this analysis demonstrates how these structural imbalances contribute to a cycle of economic dependency and environmental vulnerability. The study contends that Nigeria must adopt a strategic approach that prioritizes national interests within global climate negotiations, strengthens environmental governance, and fosters regional cooperation to navigate the competing pressures of sustainable development and economic resilience. Ultimately, the paper calls for a rethinking of Africa’s engagement with both neoliberalism and global climate frameworks to ensure a more equitable and self-determined path toward environmental and economic sustainability.