Environmental Protection and Management: An Option for Achieving Sustainable Development in Nigeria

In recent times, the concept of sustainable development cannot be overemphasized. Since the early 1980s, the term sustainable development has been used widely and indiscriminately. The concept started gaining popularity when it became increasingly relevant to use it as a way of responding to global environmental concerns, biophysical issues and equity. This paper is a study on environmental protection and management: An option for achieving sustainable development in Nigeria. The authors adopted survey design approach, data collection was through the use of structured questionnaires. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive data analysis system where each response was weighted against responses from respondents using frequency and percentages. Results obtained from the analysis showed that environmental protection and management strategies have very significant influene on the achievement of sustainable development goals in Nigeria, there is average awareness about environmental protection and management strategies put in place by government with the support of other agencies, partners and donors. There are dire consequences if these environmental protection and management strategies are not put in place to enhance sustainable development in Nigeria. The authors among others recommended that government should empower, overhaul and strengthen the agencies involved in environmental protection and management within the country to enable them live up to their responsibilities of protecting and managing our resources for sustainable development in Nigeria.