Integrating Environmental Management and Disaster Risk Governance in the Niger Delta Energy Trilemma
Keywords:
Energy Trilemma, Environmental Management, Disaster Risk Governance, Niger Delta, Energy JusticeAbstract
The energy trilemma, comprising energy security, energy equity, and environmental sustainability, remained a persistent governance challenge in resource-dependent regions, particularly the Niger Delta, where environmental degradation, weak institutional coordination, and disaster vulnerability continued to undermine energy system performance. Despite Nigeria’s status as a major oil-producing nation, the Niger Delta experienced chronic energy insecurity, unequal access to energy services, and severe ecological degradation, reflecting deep structural inefficiencies in environmental and energy governance. This study examined the integration of environmental management and disaster risk governance in addressing the energy trilemma in the Niger Delta. The study was anchored on Energy Justice Theory, Urban Resilience Theory, and Sustainable Development Theory, which provided a multidimensional framework for analysing equity, system resilience, and sustainability outcomes. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was adopted, involving 400 respondents selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires measured on a four-point Likert scale and analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis via SPSS. Findings revealed that environmental management had a significant positive effect on energy security (β = 0.62, p < 0.05) and energy equity (β = 0.48, p < 0.05), while disaster risk governance significantly enhanced energy system resilience (β = 0.55, p < 0.05). Conversely, environmental degradation was found to significantly undermine energy sustainability (β = -0.57, p < 0.05). All null hypotheses were rejected, confirming the statistical significance of the relationships examined. The study concluded that integrating environmental management and disaster risk governance significantly enhanced energy system performance across the trilemma dimensions. It recommended stronger enforcement of environmental regulations, integration of disaster risk considerations into energy infrastructure planning, expansion of equitable renewable energy access, and investment in climate-resilient energy systems through relevant government agencies such as the Federal Ministry of Environment, NEMA, NERC, and NDDC.
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