Environmental Protection and Fundamental Human Right to Life: A Review of the Nigerian Constitutional Provision and the Judicial Posture

Globally there is increasing evidence that inadequate protection of the environment is impacting negatively on life. This is particularly so in Nigeria where pollution of water (including oil spillage), air (including noise atmospheric pollution) and land; desertification, soil erosion, flood disasters, deforestation, amongst others are taking their toll on human life and the environment and consequently reducing the quality of life enjoyed by the citizenry. While the concept of environmental protection and fundamental right may not be completely novel, interpreting environmental protection as a necessary component of the right to quality life is one that is relatively new. However the global trend for which Nigeria should key into is to expand the frontiers of the right to life to include the right to the protection of the environment. This will guarantee better quality of life for Nigerians.