Dramatic Representation of Environmental Justice in Chris Nwamou's the Wisdom of the King

This paper examines the dramatic representation of environmental justice in Chris Nwamuo’s the Wisdom of the King using wilderness ecocriticism as the theoretical lens. A theory that asserts nature as unspoiled, innocence, and free from human interference. Wilderness ecocriticism, which focuses on the inherent value of the natural environment and critiques its exploitation, offers a robust framework for examining how Nwamuo dramatises the tension between human ignorance, ecological degradation, and communal survival. The play’s narrative engages the ignorance of deforestation, resource exploitation, and the displacement of communities issues that echos with broader struggles for environmental justice in Nigerian/African societies. By situating forest as cultural, spiritual and ecological space under threat, the study reveals the ways in which the playwright deploys symbolism, dialogue, and conflict to critique anthropocentric destruction and calls for a sustainable, ethical relationship between humanity and the environment. Ultimately, this paper demonstrates how The Wisdom of the King not only reflects the socio-ecological realities of contemporary Nigeria but also agrees with global debates on environmental conservation, indigenous rights, and sustainable development.