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Coordinated and published by The Grassroots Institute, the Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources (GJNR) is an international journal dedicated to the latest advancements in natural resources throughout the world. The goal of this journal is to provide a platform for scientists, social scientists, policy analysts, managers and practitioners (on all academic and professional levels) all over the world to promote, discuss and share various new issues and developments in different arenas of natural resources.
Evaluation of Desertification Control in Nigeria: Challenges and Constraints in Policy Enforcement
Gaga Wilson Ekakitie1, Eric Omo Enakireru*2
1Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.
Email: gagae@delsu.edu.ng | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7146-3420
2Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of Delta, Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria.
Email: eric.onakireru@unidel.edu.ng, ericomo61@yahoo.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8347-1598
*Corresponding author
Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 8(2): 105-127. Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080206
Received: 07 May 2025
Reviewed: 25 June 2025
Provisionally Accepted: 29 June 2025
Revised: 13 July 2025
Finally Accepted: 27 July 2025
Published: 22 August 2025
This paper critically examines desertification abatement measures in Nigeria and their related legal challenges. Nigeria, as a country richly endowed with abundant natural resources, both renewable and non-renewable, unfortunately, poverty and difficult socio-economic conditions are widespread, and as a result, many people are dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods. The objective of this paper is to examine the development of a land use systems that meet the needs of present and future generations without causing environmental degradation. That is one of the major challenges faced today due to the unsustainable exploitation of our natural resources. The Nigerian Government has implemented various strategies and sectoral policies aimed at addressing key policy issues related to combating drought and desertification. This paper evaluates the existing desertification control policies, identifies the constraints in their enforcement, and proposes recommendations for improvement. The study employs a qualitative approach, analyzing policy documents, reports, and interviews with stakeholders involved in desertification control efforts. The findings reveal that inadequate funding, lack of political will, institutional weaknesses, and poor community involvement are major obstacles to effective policy implementation. The paper concludes by recommending measures to strengthen policy enforcement, such as increased funding, enhanced capacity building, and active community participation.
Abatement; Climate change; Desertification; Land; Natural resources; Policy enforcement
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Ekakitie, G.W. and Enakireru, E.O. (2025). Evaluation of Desertification Control in Nigeria: Challenges and Constraints in Policy Enforcement. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 8(2): 105-127. Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080206
Ekakitie, G. W., & Enakireru, E. O. (2025). Evaluation of Desertification Control in Nigeria: Challenges and Constraints in Policy Enforcement. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 8(2), 105-127. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080206
Ekakitie G. W., Enakireru E. O. Evaluation of Desertification Control in Nigeria: Challenges and Constraints in Policy Enforcement. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 2025, 8 (2), 105-127. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080206
Ekakitie, Gaga Wilson, Enakireru, Eric Omo. 2025. “Evaluation of Desertification Control in Nigeria: Challenges and Constraints in Policy Enforcement”. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 8 no. 2: 105-127. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080206
Ekakitie, Gaga Wilson and Eric Omo Enakireru. 2025. “Evaluation of Desertification Control in Nigeria: Challenges and Constraints in Policy Enforcement”. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 8 (2): 105-127. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080206
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