Dr Noah Afedolor Izoukumor began his academic journey with a Diploma in Law from the University of Benin, Nigeria, before completing his LLB at Rivers State University (formerly Rivers State University of Science and Technology). He qualified as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2014. Dr Noah practiced law with E.L. Akpofure SAN & Co Chambers and later with Okori & Co Chambers, both based in Delta State, Nigeria. During his legal career, he also served as a legal adviser to Lurine Nigeria Limited. His passion for academia eventually led him to pursue advanced studies in England. He earned an LLM in Environmental Law and Sustainable Development from the University of the West of England (UWE), followed by a PhD from the same institution, which he completed in 2022. His doctoral research focused on the critical intersections between climate change laws, their synergies with the Sustainable Development Goals, and governance at the national level. Dr Noah became an Associate Lecturer in the Department of Business and Law at UWE, where he taught both undergraduate and postgraduate modules, including Criminal Law, Constitutional and Administrative Law, Environmental Law, and International Law and Institutions. In 2024, Dr Noah joined Birmingham Law School as a Teaching Fellow in Law. His teaching responsibilities span key modules such as Criminal Law, Contract Law, and Environmental Law. Beyond academia, he acts as a consultant for government bodies and NGOs, advising on legal issues related to climate change and oil and gas law. Dr Noah's career reflects a commitment to bridging the gap between legal practice, academia, and the practical challenges of environmental and energy law.

Dr Noah’s research interests lie in climate change laws, energy transition laws, oil and gas law and sustainable development.  

Contributions to Climate Change Law and Sustainable Development

Dr Noah has published in leading peer-reviewed journals. One of his key articles, “The Consumption Fuel Subsidy is a Clog to Renewable Energy Development in Nigeria” (Journal of Law, Policy & Globalization, 139, pp. 1-13), explores the misalignment between Nigeria’s fossil fuel subsidy programme and its commitments under the Paris Agreement. The article, which draws on findings from his doctoral thesis, calls for a reduction in Nigeria’s fossil fuel subsidies to enable a transition towards renewable energy.

This work is noteworthy for highlighting the contradictions between global climate commitments and national policies. Remarkably, within a year of its publication, the Nigerian government ended its long-standing fuel subsidy programme, demonstrating the potential influence of his research on policy development.

Another significant publication, “Nigeria’s Climate Change Act, Conditional and Unconditional Nationally Determined Contributions, and the Principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities”, is an open-access article in the Environmental Law Review. It is expected to contribute to UWE’s next REF submission, showcasing its academic value.

Research in Oil and Gas Law

In addition to his focus on climate change, Dr Noah is deeply engaged in research on oil and gas law, particularly examining the environmental impact of oil pollution in developing countries. His publications in this area reveal the complexities of regulatory frameworks and the socio-environmental consequences of oil extraction in resource-rich yet vulnerable regions.

Dr Noah’s research portfolio reflects a commitment to addressing critical global challenges through rigorous academic inquiry, with an emphasis on practical solutions for sustainable governance and environmental justice.