Developing an Integrated Legal Framework for Petroleum Sector Just Transition in Nigeria: Original Theory and Policy Architecture

This study develops an original integrated legal framework for a petroleum sector just transition in Nigeria, theorising how domestic petroleum law must be reconstituted to manage the transition from fossil fuel dependence in a manner that is equitable for workers, communities, and oil-producing states. Nigeria's just transition challenge is distinctive because petroleum is simultaneously a major source of government revenue, foreign exchange, and direct employment, creating complex distributional stakes in any transition pathway. The research employs a legal design theory methodology, combining normative analysis of just transition principles drawn from international labour law, human rights law, and climate law with empirical data from focus groups conducted in twelve petroleum-dependent communities across the South South, South East, and North Central zones. Comparative analysis of South Africa's coal sector just transition framework, Scotland's North Sea transition framework, and Colombia's petroleum diversification law informs the original legal architecture design. The original theoretical contribution is a Petroleum Just Transition Legal Framework for Nigeria, consisting of five interdependent legal instruments addressing worker rights, community economic diversification, fiscal transition, environmental remediation, and energy access guarantees. This framework makes a significant original contribution to both energy transition law and Nigerian legal scholarship. Keywords: just transition, petroleum law, Nigeria, legal framework, energy transition.