Electronic Green Journal

This study investigates the impact of environmental degradation on Nigeria’s sustainable development between 2003 and 2023. By analyzing the Sustainable Development Index (SDI) alongside CO₂ emissions per capita, the study identifies a clear tension between economic activity and environmental health. While Nigeria has experienced a steady rise in its SDI, reflecting improved policy integration, CO₂ emissions remain high due to continued dependence on fossil fuels. A correlation coefficient of r = −0.41 indicates that environmental degradation significantly undermines sustainability efforts. The research also highlights governance weaknesses and poor policy enforcement as primary challenges. To address these issues, the study recommends strengthening environmental oversight and incentivizing the transition to renewable energy sources to achieve long-term, carbon-neutral growth.