This spring, Emmanuel Omirin LLM’25 presented his Master of Laws (LLM) thesis, “Protecting Wildlife from Oil Spills in Nigeria’s Ogoniland—A Gap Filling Approach” at the 21st International Wildlife Law Conference. Hosted by the College of Law at Stetson University, the annual event brings together leading experts in law and policy in the field of wildlife conservation. Attendees are also given the opportunity to make international connections.
With guidance from Dr. Yanmei Lin and Professor Delcianna Winders, director of VLGS’s Animal Law and Policy Institute, Emmanuel submitted his work to the conference and was selected as a panelist. His thesis considers the impacts of the recurring Ogoniland oil spills on the area’s wildlife and proposes a framework for legal reforms to strengthen protections for wildlife in Nigeria.
Ogoniland, part of the Niger Delta, was home to a diverse ecosystem of wildlife prior to the significant damage caused by the oil industry. Many animals like lizards, birds, crocodiles, and fish flourished in the region. The area was also home to several endangered species, like the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee and Niger Delta Elephant.
“It had a lot of thriving animals,” Emmanuel said. “But these days, there is no wildlife. Because of the oil spills.”
Beginning in the late 1950s, Ogoniland suffered extensive environmental devastation due to decades of oil exploration and production, primarily by Shell, a multinational oil company. Widespread oil spills and pipeline leaks have contaminated the land, water, and air, leading to severe health problems and ecological destruction for the Ogoni people. In 1990, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), led by activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, brought international attention to the crisis. Saro-Wiwa and eight others were executed by the Nigerian government in 1995, provoking global outrage.
While oil production in the area has ceased, pipelines still cross through the land and waterways. Poor maintenance and security of the facilities have continued to prompt frequent and disastrous oil spills in Ogoniland. “It’s one of the most environmentally devastated places in the world,” said Emmanuel. “It represents the heart of environmental justice issues in Nigeria. If we can develop an effective strategy in Ogoniland, it could serve as a model for addressing similar issues in other areas.”
Taking some cues from the United States’ legal system, Emmanuel’s recommendations include the need for establishing concurrent federal-state oversight for oil-related matters, requiring mandatory and transparent post-impact assessments that include comprehensive wildlife health evaluations, and passing legislation to strengthen wildlife and endangered species protection efforts.
From Nigeria to Vermont
Emmanuel began his degree at VLGS in 2024, after receiving his Bachelor of Laws from Obafemi Awolowo University and his Bar Qualification Certificate (Barrister at Law) from the Nigerian Law School. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2021 and practiced law until deciding to return to school.
Emmanuel had already been admitted to VLGS when he discovered the animal law specialization within the Master of Laws (LLM) program. The LLM in Animal Law is designed for students who want to focus their career on animal law and policy issues, including advancing legal protections for companion animals, wildlife, farmed animals, or animals used for entertainment or experimentation. Students learn about the intersection of animal law issues with climate change, labor exploitation, consumer protection, and other social justice issues, all while receiving real-world experience.
During his time at VLGS, Emmanuel was a student clinician in both the Transnational Environmental Law Clinic and the Farmed Animal Advocacy Clinic, applying theories and concepts learned in the classroom to real-world contexts. Emmanuel says that being an active part of the VLGS community and embracing opportunities for growth was important to him, serving as a research associate with the Animal Law and Policy Institute, 2024-2025 Student Bar Association LLM Senator, and a student ambassador.
“I want to learn,” Emmanuel emphasized. “Every role counts toward my personal development.”
Though the leap from Nigeria to the United States was an adjustment, he speaks fondly of Vermont.
“The aspect of nature here is similar to Nigeria—everyone likes nature, and they classify it as part of their life,” he said. “I think Vermont does a great job protecting its wildlife and natural resources.”
Among the highlights of his academic work at VLGS, he cites the flexibility of his professors, who encouraged him to dive into comparative studies between Nigeria and the United States and express himself through writing. He stresses the “human rights-based approach” he learned in the classroom in relation to public interest litigation, and the use of community engagement to promote and fight for environmental justice issues.
“I hope to apply the knowledge I’ve gained here to advance legal development in Nigeria by introducing new laws and effective litigation strategies that ensure enforcement,” he said. “After all, a law without enforcement is a dead law.”
Emmanuel plans to establish an NGO in Nigeria, using the strategies he has learned at VLGS to draw attention to environmental justice issues and protect animals and people in his home country.
For students embarking on their own law journeys, he offers the following advice: “Studying law is like learning a completely new language. At first, it can feel overwhelming, as if nothing is making sense. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t sinking in,” Emmanuel said. “Keep learning, keep practicing, and with time, everything will start to click. It feels like magic.”
