The Nigerian Government and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are partnering to enhance Nigeria’s infrastructure and human capacity for effective chemicals and waste management.
Prof. Innocent Barikor, Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), announced this at a stakeholders’ review workshop on Tuesday in Abuja, held to finalise three key sectoral regulations: the National Environmental (Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Soap and Detergent Manufacturing Sector) Regulations, 2009; the National Environmental (Energy Sector) Regulations, 2009; and the National Environmental (Import and Export) Regulations, 2009.
Barikor noted that the collaboration between NESREA and UNEP “enables us to leverage international expertise while ensuring our regulatory approaches remain appropriate for Nigeria’s unique circumstances, providing technical assistance, capacity building, and access to global best practices.”
He explained that the updated chemical and pharmaceutical, soap and detergent manufacturing industries regulation addresses sectors vital to Nigeria’s economic development and public health. “While these sectors contribute substantially to industrial output and employment, they generate complex waste streams requiring careful oversight,” he said.
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Barikor stressed the urgent need to review the decade-old chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and energy sector regulations to address emerging environmental challenges. “The evolving landscape of chemical management and energy sector developments necessitates updating these regulatory frameworks to remain effective. Additionally, developing comprehensive import and export regulations has become essential to meet our international obligations under various multilateral environmental agreements and ensure Nigeria’s safety in chemical, pharmaceutical, and energy-related trade.”
He called the day’s meeting “not just regulation adoption, but the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria’s environmental stewardship characterised by innovation and shared responsibility for our environmental heritage toward a Nigeria where economic prosperity and environmental sustainability are complementary.”
In her goodwill message, Rebecca Chudaska, Associate Expert at UNEP, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting NESREA’s waste management initiatives, offering technical expertise, capacity building, and other forms of assistance.
