Nigeria’s Challenges in Implementing UNEP Recommendations on Niger Delta Oil Spills: An Information-Motivation-Behavioral (IMB) Model Perspective

This paper aims to investigate the factors contributing to the limited implementation of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) recommendations on oil spills prevention in the Niger Delta by the Nigerian government. This paper utilizes a qualitative review of published academic papers, government reports, policy documents, news reports, industry reports, relevant legislation, and comprehensive analysis grounded in behavioral and environmental justice to elucidate the factors underlining the challenges in translating UNEP guidelines into actionable policies. This paper utilizes the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) Model with environmental justice principles to identify and reveal the gaps and the need to implement the UNEP recommendations intentionally. In this paper, I highlight potential innovative recommendations that aim to enhance the Nigerian government’s capacity to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the recommendations in dealing with oil spills in the Niger Delta for environmental protection and sustainability.