Staff profile

Smith I Azubuike is Assistant Professor in Energy Law at Durham Law School, and a qualified Lawyer in Nigeria. He previously taught at Queen’s University Belfast. Smith’s teaching and research focus on energy law and sustainability, risk allocation in the energy sector and renewable energy law. Smith holds an LLB from Rivers State University in Nigeria, and an LLM and PhD from the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law & Policy, University of Dundee. He practiced as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria since 2007, before going for postgraduate studies in 2011. In 2013, He worked as the Head of Litigations in the law firm of Samuel C. Dike & Co. in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Smith is the Book Reviews Editor of Edinburgh University Press’ Global Energy Law and Sustainability journal.

Research groups

The Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy

Law and Global Justice at Durham

 

• Energy Justice and Transition
• Energy Law and Sustainability
• Renewable Energy Law
• Risk Allocation in the Energy Sector

Book review

• Renewable Energy: Can it Deliver?
  
  Azubuike, S. I. (2021). Renewable Energy: Can it Deliver?. Global Energy Law and Sustainability. Advance online publication.

Chapter in book

• Post-Covid-19 and African Agenda for a Green Recovery: Lessons from the European Union and the United States of America
  
  Asekomeh, A., Azubuike, S. I., & Gershon, O. (2022). Post-Covid-19 and African Agenda for a Green Recovery: Lessons from the European Union and the United States of America. In E. Osabuohien, G. Odularu, D. Ufua, & R. Osabohien (Eds.), Covid-19 in the African Continent: Sustainable Development and Socioeconomic Shocks (pp. 309-322). Emerald. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80117-686-620221028
• Innovative Strategies for Decarbonising the Healthcare Sector in Nigerian Cities.
  
  Azubuike, S. I., & Adeyemi, A. (2022). Innovative Strategies for Decarbonising the Healthcare Sector in Nigerian Cities. In S. Azubuike, A. Asekomeh, & O. Gershon (Eds.), Decarbonisation Pathways for African Cities (pp. 51-72). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14006-8_4
• Utilizing Sustainability Assessment Framework to Obtain a Social License to Operate in Renewable Energy Projects: The Case of Murchison Hydropower Project in Uganda
  
  Azubuike, S. I., Nakanwagi, S., & Dike, S. C. (2022). Utilizing Sustainability Assessment Framework to Obtain a Social License to Operate in Renewable Energy Projects: The Case of Murchison Hydropower Project in Uganda. In G. Wood, J. Górski, & G. Mete (Eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Social License to Operate and Energy Transitions (pp. 1-22). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74725-1_7-1
• To Opt-in or to Cop Out: COP26 and the Policy Dynamics of Decarbonising African Cities
  
  Asekomeh, A., Gershon, O., & Azubuike, S. (2022). To Opt-in or to Cop Out: COP26 and the Policy Dynamics of Decarbonising African Cities. In S. I. Azubuike, A. Asekomeh, & O. Gershon (Eds.), Decarbonisation Pathways for African Cities (pp. 157-178). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14006-8_9
• Solar Urban Planning in African Cities: Challenges and Prospects
  
  Akrofi, M. M., Okitasari, M., Ohunakin, O. S., & Azubuike, S. I. (2022). Solar Urban Planning in African Cities: Challenges and Prospects. In S. I. Azubuike, A. Asekomeh, & O. Gershon (Eds.), Decarbonisation Pathways for African Cities (pp. 15-36). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14006-8_2
• Challenges and Opportunities for Energy Transitions and Decarbonisation in Southern African Countries
  
  Nalule, V. R., & Azubuike, S. I. (2020). Challenges and Opportunities for Energy Transitions and Decarbonisation in Southern African Countries. In T. Oyewunmi, P. Crossley, F. Sourgens, & K. Talus (Eds.), Decarbonisation and the Energy Industry: Law, policy and regulation in low-carbon energy markets (pp. 377-400). Hart Publishing. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781509932931.ch-016
• Climate Change and Responsibility: Arctic States’ Cooperation through the Arctic Council in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Efforts
  
  Roben, V., & Azubuike, S. I. (2020). Climate Change and Responsibility: Arctic States’ Cooperation through the Arctic Council in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Efforts. In H. Lassi, H. Exner-Pirot, & J. Barnes (Eds.), Climate Change and the Arctic: Global Origins, Regional Responsibility (pp. 443-463). Northern Research Forum.
• Arctic Hydrocarbon Exploration & Production: Evaluating the Legal Regime for Offshore Accidental Pollution Liability
  
  Vinogradov, S., & Azubuike, S. I. (2018). Arctic Hydrocarbon Exploration & Production: Evaluating the Legal Regime for Offshore Accidental Pollution Liability. In H. Lassi & H. Exner-Pirot (Eds.), Arctic Development: In theory and Practice (pp. 307-327). Northern Research Forum.

Edited book

• Decarbonisation Pathways for African Cities
  
  Azubuike, S. I., Asekomeh, A., & Gershon, O. (Eds.). (2022). Decarbonisation Pathways for African Cities. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14006-8

Journal Article

• Climate Change, Energy Transition, and the Global South: Learnings from the International Framework on the Ozone Layer
  
  Azubuike, S. I., Emeseh, E., & Yibakuo Amakiri, D. (2024). Climate Change, Energy Transition, and the Global South: Learnings from the International Framework on the Ozone Layer. Journal of Energy & Natural Resources Law, 42(3), 255-277. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646811.2024.2345012
• Solar Power for Resilient Healthcare Systems in Nigeria: Regulatory, Financial and Organizational Options for Sustainable Business Models
  
  Paim, M.-A., Gershon, O., Adeyemi, A., Azubuike, S., Mu, X., & Roeben, V. (2023). Solar Power for Resilient Healthcare Systems in Nigeria: Regulatory, Financial and Organizational Options for Sustainable Business Models. The Journal of Energy and Development, 48(1-2), 175-194.
• Mining Resource Corridor development in Nigeria: critical considerations and actions for a diversified and sustainable economic future
  
  Azubuike, S. I., Nakanwagi, S., & Pinto, J. (2023). Mining Resource Corridor development in Nigeria: critical considerations and actions for a diversified and sustainable economic future. Mineral Economics, 36, 59–75. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13563-022-00307-5
• Optimally Clocking the Low Carbon Energy Mile to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals: Evidence from Dundee's Electric Vehicle Strategy
  
  Asekomeh, A., Gershon, O., & Azubuike, S. I. (2021). Optimally Clocking the Low Carbon Energy Mile to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals: Evidence from Dundee’s Electric Vehicle Strategy. Energies, 14(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/en14040842
• A Rights-based Approach to Oil Spill Investigations: A Case Study of the Bodo Community Oil Spill in Nigeria
  
  Azubuike, S. I., & Songi, O. (2020). A Rights-based Approach to Oil Spill Investigations: A Case Study of the Bodo Community Oil Spill in Nigeria. Global Energy Law and Sustainability, 1(1), Article 28-54. https://doi.org/10.3366/gels.2020.0005
• Identifying policy and legal issues for shale gas development in Algeria: A SWOT analysis
  
  Azubuike, S. I., Songi, O., Irowarisima, M., & Chinda, J. K. (2018). Identifying policy and legal issues for shale gas development in Algeria: A SWOT analysis. The Extractive Industry and Society, 5(4), 469-480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exis.2018.10.005

Monograph

• Risk Allocation and Distributive Justice in the Energy Industry: Law, Policy and Practice
  
  Azubuike, S. (2024). Risk Allocation and Distributive Justice in the Energy Industry: Law, Policy and Practice. Edinburgh University Press.

Working Paper

• IRAN’S Nuclear Programme: What is the Purpose for Enriching Uranium?
  
  Azubuike, S. I. (2012). IRAN’S Nuclear Programme: What is the Purpose for Enriching Uranium? (D. Ecomog, Ed.).
• Gas Market Liberalisatio in Europe: IS therea future for Oil-Linked Gas Pricing in Natural Gas Contracts?
  
  Azubuike, S. I. (2012). Gas Market Liberalisatio in Europe: IS therea future for Oil-Linked Gas Pricing in Natural Gas Contracts? (D. Ecomog, Ed.).
• Rethinking Fiscal Stability in Mining Investment Contracts: Is there a way to achieve Fiscal Stability and douse Parties’ Concerns?
  
  Azubuike, S. I. (2012). Rethinking Fiscal Stability in Mining Investment Contracts: Is there a way to achieve Fiscal Stability and douse Parties’ Concerns? (D. Ecomog, Ed.).