A private prosecution is a criminal proceeding initiated by a private individual or organization instead of a public prosecutor
representing the state. In Nigeria, private prosecutions are less common than they once were but still have an important
role to play in enforcement of environmental and climate change related laws, including the prospective enforcement of a
proposed Climate Change Bill. This is especially true after a recent court decision removed a consent-related administrative
hurdle to private prosecution. These prosecutions are not intended to displace public prosecutions but rather to supplement
them and bring attention to provisions of laws that are new or underused. This article highlights recent developments in
private prosecution in Nigeria and suggests additional measures to enable private prosecutions of climate change related
actions.