This study investigates the role of environmental degradation on economic development in Kogi State, Nigeria, from 1990 to 2024. Using a time series econometric approach, key indicators such as real GDP per capita, natural resource depletion, CO₂ emissions, and population were analyzed to assess their impact on long-run economic performance. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model was employed, and the results revealed a statistically significant negative relationship between natural resource depletion and economic growth, while CO₂ emissions and population growth showed weak or insignificant effects. The error correction term confirmed a stable long-run equilibrium relationship among the variables. Descriptive statistics and unit root tests further supported the robustness of the findings. The study recommends strengthening environmental regulations, promoting sustainable land use, and investing in eco-friendly economic strategies such as renewable energy and green jobs. Limitations related to data availability and model constraints were acknowledged. Future research should employ spatial techniques and community-based case studies to provide deeper, localized insights into the environment-development nexus in Kogi State.