By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Lawyers have made a demand for strict enforcement of different environmental laws to protect the country.
They made the call on Tuesday at the inaugural ceremony of the Nigerian Bar Association Climate Justice Committee, Conference 2025 with the theme “The Climate Change Act 2021 and the Role of the Legal Profession in its implementation” in Abuja.
It was organised by the Nigerian Bar Association in collaboration with the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS) and the Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Office, Nigeria.
In his address at the occasion, President, Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) noted that the Climate Change Act, 2021 is a legislative milestone that establishes a national climate council, prescribes emission targets, and defines roles for stakeholders across the spectrum.
Osigwe who was represented by the General Secretary of NBA, Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara said further that “But legislation, no matter how progressive, is only as effective as its implementation.
Speaking on the role of Lawyers in the success of efforts in tackling climate change, Osigwe said “Lawyers are architects of order.
We interpret intent, challenge inertia, defend rights, and build frameworks for the future. In the context of climate justice, our roles expand beyond courtrooms and contracts—we must become Educators of policy, Designers of sustainable compliance systems,
Advisors on climate risk and regulation, Advocates for vulnerable communities, and Stewards of intergenerational equity.
“This conference, its theme, and the diversity of its participants and speakers reflect the NBA’s understanding that climate justice is not the concern of scientists alone but the duty of all citizens, and especially, of the law.
He said the path to climate resilience requires shared knowledge, pooled resources, and mutual accountability.
“The legal profession must build bridges with environmental scientists, economists, energy experts, and civil society groups—because climate justice is not a solo act. It is a collective responsibility.
In an interview, Chairperson of the NBA Climate Justice Committee, Professor Yinka Omorogbe, said the inaugural event seeks to sensitize people about climate change issues and to sensitize them about the present law, the Climate Change Act 2021, and the role of the legal profession in it.
“Very often, people forget that law is the foundation of society. It is a structure upon which society is run. It is a structure upon which systems run completely.
“And so, the lawyer is inevitable in every transaction. But we often forget this when we’re dealing with areas that seem to be technical from a scientific perspective. But it’s imperative for lawyers to be involved in the climate change discussion because they belong there right from the time that a law is enacted up until the implementation of whatever the different activities are, whether it is activities for deforestation, activities that are supposed to work in trying to ensure that, for example, Lake Chad, which is 90% of its size, to make sure Lake Chad is once again replenished.
“You need lawyers involved from the policymaking down to the different agreements that will be signed and the different, even financing agreements that will be there, even at an international level, a cross-country level or a domestic level.
Climate Change expert, Mr. Huzi Mshelia in his paper presentation titled “Deconstructing existing Climate Change Policies and Legislation in Nigeria (2).The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) from INDCs to NDC 3.0” called for urgent response to the issue, saying it has affected all sectors.
“It is a national responsibility for all those interested in a safe environment,” he said.
