Towards Holistic Environmental Governance: Embedding Biodiversity in Nigeria’s Climate Change Frameworks

This study examines the integration of biodiversity conservation into Nigeria’s climate change frameworks, emphasizing the critical connections between these two environmental challenges. Through an analysis of legal instruments, policy documents, and institutional mandates, the study evaluates the extent to which biodiversity conservation is systematically embedded in climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. Findings reveal that while existing frameworks acknowledge the interconnection between biodiversity and climate change, implementation is hindered by fragmented governance, competing priorities, and weak enforcement mechanisms. Drawing on theories of environmental policy integration, the study advocates for a reimagined governance architecture that positions biodiversity as a cross-cutting priority in climate planning. Key recommendations include legal reforms, participatory decision-making processes, and capacity-building for subnational actors to operationalize holistic environmental governance. The study underscores the urgency of moving beyond rhetorical commitments to actionable, systems-oriented frameworks—a model with relevance for other biodiverse, climate-vulnerable nations.