GAS FLARING IN NIGERIA’S OIL SECTOR: ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC CHALLENGES WITHIN EXISTING LEGAL FRAMEWORKS

Gas flaring remains one of the most persistent environmental and socioeconomic challenges in Nigeria’s oil industry. Despite decades of regulatory efforts, the practice continues to release large volumes of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming, air pollution, and ecosystem degradation. Communities located near flare sites face severe health risks such as respiratory illnesses, skin problems, and increased mortality rates. The constant exposure to intense heat and light also disrupts agricultural productivity and damages farmlands, leading to food insecurity and loss of livelihoods. Economically, gas flaring represents a significant waste of valuable natural resources that could be harnessed for domestic energy generation and industrial development. The Nigerian economy consequently loses substantial revenue while local populations bear the burden of environmental degradation and poverty. This paper examines the environmental and socioeconomic implications of gas flaring in Nigeria, highlighting the inefficiencies in regulatory enforcement, corporate negligence, and lack of sustainable energy policies. It also explores alternative strategies for gas utilization, community engagement, and cleaner production practices aimed at achieving environmental sustainability and social well-being in the oil-producing regions.