Oil spillage and gas flaring in Nigeria: environmental, socioeconomic and policy dimensions

Oil spillage and gas flaring have produced a long-standing environmental and humanitarian crisis in Nigeria's Niger Delta. These twin hazards have disrupted ecosystems, endangered public health and destabilized local livelihoods. Despite decades of regulatory intervention, the crisis persists. This study investigates the environmental, health and socio-economic dimensions of oil pollution in the region using a qualitative analytical design grounded in literature synthesis, legal analysis and policy evaluation. Sources included peer-reviewed studies, institutional reports, legal documents and regulatory data from NOSDRA and HYPREP. Findings reveal a consistent pattern of ecological injustice, institutional failure and political inertia. The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021, while progressive on paper, suffers from poor implementation, leaving significant accountability gaps. Communities face ongoing exposure to soil and water contamination, air pollution from flaring, mangrove destruction and biodiversity loss, leading to long-term ecosystem collapse and health burdens. The study emphasizes the urgent need for participatory, community-led governance reforms, enhanced environmental monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. It also highlights the strategic alignment of the research with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Goal 3 (Good Health), Goal 6 (Clean Water), Goal 13 (Climate Action) and Goal 15 (Life on Land). By diagnosing structural failures and recommending integrated solutions, the study contributes to global energy justice and sustainable environmental governance.