The Role of the Federal High Court in Petroleum Dispute Resolution: A Review of Cases from the South West Zone

This study examines the jurisprudential contributions of the Federal High Court in resolving petroleum-related disputes, drawing on cases decided in the South West judicial division of Nigeria from 2019 to 2024. The Federal High Court has exclusive jurisdiction over petroleum disputes under the Constitution and various sector-specific statutes, making its decisions critical to operator certainty and investor confidence. The research adopts a doctrinal case law analysis approach, reviewing forty-two petroleum cases from the Lagos and Ibadan divisions of the Federal High Court obtained through official cause lists and online legal databases. Cases are classified by subject matter, including licensing disputes, community claims, contractual disagreements, and environmental claims. Findings indicate growing judicial receptiveness to corporate environmental liability arguments and a rising trend of community petitions against operators in the South West. The study recommends improved case management protocols for petroleum disputes and specialised training for judges assigned to energy sector litigation. These outcomes are valuable for petroleum law practitioners, energy companies, and judicial reform advocates. Keywords: Federal High Court, petroleum disputes, South West Nigeria, judicial review, case law.