The Role of Political Institutions In Improving Environmental Quality in Nigeria

Abstract

We examine how democracy affects air quality in Nigeria using ARDL bound test approach to co-integration, Dynamic OLS and Fully Modified OLS for a period of 1980-2015. The study finds that democracy reduces air pollution. The short run and long run democracy effect on air quality is negative and statistically significant. This means that Nigerian citizens can express their preferences and put pressures on the governments to protect the environment. With democracy, citizens are more aware of environmental problems. They can express their preferences for environment and create lobbying groups. Political leaders are prompted to implement environmental policies at national and international levels which will lead to improvement in the quality of the environment. The study also considers other institutional variables such as corruption and bureaucratic quality. However, corruption and bureaucratic problem deteriorate environmental quality. These findings support the view that environmental quality is negatively influenced by both corruption and political instability.