The Challenges of Public and Environmental Health Law Enforcement in Nigeria

Abstract

Environmental degradation has continued to generate unpleasant challenges for health and economic development in Nigeria. These problems include deforestation, pollution, global warming, and improper pesticides, which are now a major problem to public health. Public health challenges have been a nagging problem bedevilling many countries well-being and stability for a long time. Despite environmental laws and policies targeted at ameliorating these problems, the situation in Nigeria seems to degenerate because these laws are not effectively enforced. This paper analyzes the sources and public health law enforcement bodies, types of public health laws, processes of enforcing public health laws, and challenges of enforcing public health laws in Nigeria. The paper recommends that, the encouragement of private and public interest litigation, the creation of procedures for enhancing public participation in Nigerian environmental protection, establishment of environmental emergencies to care for public health and environmental eventuality, while environmental courts decide on the available punishment for non-compliance to public health and environmental laws.

Keywords: Public health, Challenges, Public & environmental health laws, and Enforcement

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-5-01

Publication date:July 31^st 2023