Improving Environmental Protection in Nigeria: A Reassessment of the Role of Informal Institutions

Abstract

The success of an approach or strategy for the implementation of legal instruments in one
country does not imply that the same approach or strategy would be successful when replicated
in another country because there is no ‘one-size-fits-all approach’ to policy implementation.
The rationale for the above assertion is that institutions play a major role in the success of any
policy. Undoubtedly, institutional approach provides a solid foundation to explore the interplay
between formulation of policies and their effective implementation. Therefore, for an
environmental policy to be successfully implemented, the institutional peculiarity of the country
must be considered. This article explores the role of informal institutions (embedded
institutions) in policy implementation focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa with specific focus on
Nigeria. It provides theoretical basis for an informal institutional approach in environmental
policy implementation. This article suggests that the institutional approach can be extended to
environmental protection and management through informal institutions.