Gas flaring is a global problem affecting oil-producing countries. The Nigerian petroleum industry is not an exemption. Gas flaring is responsible for the emission of greenhouse gas, depletion of the ozone layer, global warming, and climate change. The study aims to offer legal panaceas to the menace of gas flaring, which has affected Nigeria’s economy. Many scholars have raised concerns and the need for discontinuance of gas flaring in Nigeria due to its adverse effect on oil-producing areas and human health. The study adopts a doctrinal legal research method, exploring both primary and secondary sources of information to achieve its aim. The study finds that weak enforcement of the existing anti-gas-flaring laws in Nigeria made some oil companies flare gas. The study designs a hybrid model or mechanism for combating the menace and advocates that defaulting companies should be made to pay dearly for violation of anti-gas-flaring laws to promote the commercialisation of fled gas. The study recommends stringent enforcement of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and advocates replication of the provisions of the anti-gas-flaring laws of other advanced climes, especially the selected case-study countries where gas flaring has been abated. The study further advocates the need for the use of sophisticated or advanced technologies in oil and gas operations. In conclusion, it is believed that if the government adopts and implements stringent laws, it would combat gas flaring in Nigeria.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 disease has gravely shaken the world economy. The economies of many countries have come under severe strain; Nigeria’s petroleum industry has been particularly affected. This has threatened the countries’ budgets and other essential needs involved in citizens’ welfare. The government is taking drastic measures to combat this scourge, with few results. This study adopts a doctrinal legal research approach and considers both the primary and secondary sources of law, such as judicial precedents, international conventions, and peer-reviewed journals. Legal theories were also applied as an academic lens for modelling the research. The justification for using the method was to establish the trustworthiness of the findings on the impacts of crude oil price shock on Nigeria’s economy, its legal and policy options. This study investigates the influences of oil price shock on the country’s economy and the legal remedies required to build economic resilience to mitigate future contingencies. The study argues that the provisions of the extant laws can be utilised as a preventive mechanism for tackling the impacts of oil price shock on Nigeria’s economy. The study recommends other remedial measures, such as diversification from oil and gas to non-oil sectors. The study designed a hybrid model for mitigating the influences of crude oil prices on the country’s extractive wealth. The study advocates for the need for an effective legal regime to shield the domestic economy from international oil price instability. The implications of the main results are that crude oil production and prices play a significant role in real growth enhancement. However, they exert a negative but unsustainable standard innovation on growth, which could be mitigated through appropriate legal and policy options. Nigeria needs stringent, transparent, and the best petroleum management practice laws to manage its petroleum sector’s revenues for sustainability.

Nigeria’s oil industry encounters crude oil theft in commercial quantities, which is often exported to neighbouring countries. This has occasioned a loss of revenue and has caused environmental pollution due to oil spillages. There is a need for a stringent legal framework to combat the menace caused by incessant crude oil thefts, pipeline vandalisation by militants, and inadequate maintenance of existing crude oil refineries. The study adopts doctrinal legal research methods and a conceptual approach with the consideration of primary and secondary sources of law, for instance, the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI Act 2007, International Conventions, law textbooks and peer-reviewed journals. The justification for using the method was to establish the trustworthiness of the findings on illicit crude oil refineries. The findings reveal that the Nigerian government has lost more than 150,000 barrels of crude oil daily valued at USD six billion as a result of crude oil theft. This has reduced oil revenues, which ought to have added to the national treasury. The Petroleum Production and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage Act) 2007, which proscribes disruption of petroleum products in Nigeria, has not been diligently enforced. There is also an absence of a specific oil and gas legal framework criminalising crude oil theft. Section 3(e)(f)(iv) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act only offers pipeline security as one of the functions of the corps, without distinctly stating the penalties to be imposed on those damaging crude oil pipelines. The study designs a hybrid model for the renovation of the country’s crude oil refineries. It also advocates the need to redefine legal regimes on illegal oil refineries by amending the Petroleum Industry Act to include specifically illegal oil refineries provision and to effectively criminalise crude oil theft. The implications of the main results are as follows: criminalising crude oil theft and pipeline vandalisation with vigorous punishments will serve as deterrence to others in the sector, increase revenues for the government and reduce environmental pollution.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the corruption prevalent in the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives during the lockdown and movement restrictions in the country. This study seeks to analyse the current state of corruption in the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives and public health facilities in Nigeria while also providing a legal insight and strategic blueprint to combat corruption. To this end, this study will address the current legal framework for combating corruption and build upon this to formulate a working strategy for tackling corruption in the future. Design/methodology/approach Using a doctrinal legal research methodology, this study draws upon existing literature, tertiary data sources and information from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. The collected data is analysed and compared with current literature to identify key findings. Rent-seeking and utilitarian theories of the law were examined to guide this study. This study offers useful insights into combating corruption. The use of this method is justified, as it enhances the credibility of the findings on the importance of strategies for future emergencies. This legal research approach is consistent with the law and can be easily verified. The empirical aspect of this study involved a survey of multidimensional health-care and economic data set of 36 states in Nigeria plus the Federal Capital Territory on COVID-19 in Nigeria. A survey linearised regression model was estimated to determine the influence of government revenue and public health-care facilities in the control of the virus spread in Nigeria. Findings This study reveals the need for emphasis on the imperative of combating corruption in the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives and establishing economic resilience through transparent and accountable practices, supported by legal frameworks. Research limitations/implications Rent-seeking and utilitarian theories of law are evaluated because of their impacts on combating corruption. The limitation of this study is the intricacy of gathering data on COVID-19 palliatives corruption in Nigeria because of secrecy and the absence of reliable data on the subject. Practical implications Estimating the exact number of stolen palliatives and their fiscal impact on Nigeria's economy proves to be a formidable task because of the covert nature of corruption. This study equips policymakers in Nigeria with a better understanding of the legal challenges posed by corruption in the health care sector and provides an effective strategy to combat it. Social implications The lack of reliable data on the extent of palliative theft hinders the ability of lawmakers to enact effective legislation and strategies for combating corruption in the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives and addressing future emergencies in Nigeria. The policy implications of this study can assist policymakers in Nigeria and other countries in formulating measures to combat corruption in the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives and other future emergencies. Furthermore, it recommends the overhaul of anti-corruption laws and mechanisms in Nigeria to ensure effective measures against corruption. Originality/value In conclusion, this study contributes to knowledge by proposing a legal model centred on people's participation to enhance transparency and accountability in future palliative distribution processes. This study recommends legal strategies that can effectively address corruption in future emergencies or shocks. This study proposes a strategic blueprint to tackle corruption in the future. This blueprint includes an analysis of existing laws and regulations, as well as potential policy changes and legislative reform. This study also includes recommendations for improved enforcement and oversight mechanisms and for improved public awareness and education. As part of this, this study considers the potential for public–private partnerships to increase transparency and accountability in public health and health-care services.