BY OKAFOR AUGUSTINE IZUCHUKWU
The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are collaborating to strengthen national infrastructural and human capacity for sound chemicals and waste management in the country.
Prof. Innocent Barikor, Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), stated this at the stakeholders review workshop for adopting final drafts of three pivotal sectoral regulations on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, in Abuja.
The three sectoral regulations are the National Environmental, (Chemicals, Pharmaceutical, Soap and Detergent Manufacturing Sector) Regulations, 2009.
Others are the National Environmental, (Energy Sector) Regulations, 2009, and the National Environmental, (Import and Export) Regulations, 2009.
Barikor said NESREA and UNEP’s collaboration are strategically aligned national priorities with global environmental objectives.
“This programme 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.”
Barikor said the draft chemical and pharmaceutical, soap and detergent manufacturing industries regulation tackles sectors vital to Nigeria’s economic development and public health.
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“While these sectors contribute substantially to industrial output and employment, they generate complex waste streams requiring careful oversight,” he said.
Barikor said that the country’s chemicals and pharmaceuticals and energy sector regulations which had been in operation for over 10 years, now required urgent review to address emerging environmental issues.
“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.
“Let today mark not just regulation adoption, but the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria’s environmental stewardship characterised by innovation.
“The collaboration and shared responsibility for our environmental heritage toward a Nigeria where economic prosperity and environmental sustainability are complementary,” Barikor said.
In a goodwill message, Rebecca Chudaska, Associate Expert, UNEP, said the organisation would continue to support NESREA in waste management initiatives, give technical expertise, and capacity building commitment, among others.
