Abdulrahim Umar Darma

In recent years, the concept of smart cities has gained prominence around the world. Smart cities are urban areas that leverage technology and data to improve the quality of life for citizens, enhance efficiency, and promote sustainable development. Nigeria, as a rapidly urbanizing country, faces numerous environmental challenges, including air and water pollution, inadequate waste management, and deforestation. Environmental sustainability policies are of great significance in the context of smart cities. Nigeria has recognized the need to develop smart cities to address urbanization challenges and promote sustainable development. Smart city initiatives, such as renewable energy integration, smart grids and energy management systems, intelligent transportation systems, smart waste management and the rest, can drive economic growth, improve quality of life, and enhance resilience to climate change. While Nigerian cities are making efforts to address environmental sustainability using smart city policies and strategies, there are still several challenges in the implementation. Existing literature on smart cities and environmental sustainability in Nigeria primarily focuses on the potential of adopting smart technologies to enhance environmental conservation, resource management, and sustainable development. This study uses existing related literature and case studies to explore the barriers and limitations of implementing smart city initiatives for environmental sustainability in developing countries, specifically focusing on Nigeria. The study investigates the challenges faced in terms of technology infrastructure, policy frameworks, funding, and citizen participation. It also examines the potential strategies and solutions for overcoming these barriers and maximizing the benefits of smart city projects in achieving environmental sustainability in developing countries. Keywords: Smart city, Smart city initiatives, Environmental challenges, Environmental sustainability, Environmental sustainability policies0150