Climate Change and International Law: Nigeria’s Obligations Under the Paris Agreement

This study examines Nigeria's legal obligations under the Paris Agreement on climate change and evaluates the country's nationally determined contributions (NDCs) against international climate law standards. As a signatory to the Paris Agreement and a major oil-producing nation, Nigeria occupies a complex position in the global climate governance architecture, with responsibilities both as an emitter and as a developing country disproportionately affected by climate change impacts such as desertification, flooding, and coastal erosion. Using a doctrinal research methodology, the paper reviews the Paris Agreement's legal architecture, including its provisions on NDCs, transparency, finance, and loss and damage, and analyses Nigeria's submitted NDCs in terms of ambition, clarity, and implementation progress. It examines the domestic legal instruments supporting Nigeria's climate commitments, including the Climate Change Act of 2021, and assesses their adequacy in meeting Nigeria's international obligations. The paper also considers the impacts of climate change on specific regions, including flooding in the South South and desertification in the North East and North West zones, and their implications for Nigeria's adaptation obligations. Findings indicate significant gaps between Nigeria's climate pledges and domestic policy implementation, attributable to energy sector reform delays and limited climate finance access. Recommendations include enhanced NDC ambition, full implementation of the Climate Change Act, and more strategic engagement in international climate finance negotiations. Keywords: Paris Agreement, climate change, NDCs, Climate Change Act, Nigeria.