ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ACT

An Act requires major projects to undergo environmental impact assessments before approval. It targets project proponents in sectors like oil, mining, and infrastructure, as well as environmental agencies. This prevents adverse environmental and social impacts and promotes sustainable decisions.

What Is This Policy?

An Act requiring that major public and private projects likely to have significant environmental effects undergo a systematic assessment process before approval is granted, ensuring that environmental considerations are integrated into development decisions.

Who Does It Target?

Project proponents in sectors including oil and gas, mining, agriculture, infrastructure, and manufacturing The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Federal Ministry of Environment State environmental protection agencies

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

To prevent or minimise adverse environmental and social impacts of development projects, promote environmentally sound decision-making, and ensure public participation in project approval processes.

Key Features

Mandatory EIA Requirement: Specified categories of projects may not proceed without an approved EIA. Scoping Process: Preliminary determination of significant issues to be addressed in the full EIA. Public Participation: Requires consultation with affected communities and the public before approval. Review and Approval: The Ministry of Environment reviews the EIA report and issues or withholds approval. Monitoring and Audit: Post-approval monitoring ensures that mitigation measures are implemented.

Current Status

In force. Administered by the Federal Ministry of Environment through NESREA, with mandatory EIA requirements applying to all listed categories of major projects before government approval is granted.

Submit a project brief to the Federal Ministry of Environment Engage a registered EIA consultant to prepare the full assessment Conduct and document public participation exercises Application method: Federal Ministry of Environment (EIA Division), Abuja

Important Terms

No project may commence without EIA approval where required Providing false information in an EIA report is a criminal offence Approvals may include conditions that must be satisfied during project execution

Official Resources

Website: www.environment.gov.ng Policy Summary Document | Federal Republic of Nigeria

Legal Framework

Enacted under the legislative powers of the National Assembly as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act (Cap E12 LFN 2004). Operates alongside the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act 2007, the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 (for petroleum projects), the Nigerian Mining Act, and the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act. Aligns with World Bank Operational Policy OP 4.01 on Environmental Assessment and UNEP EIA guidelines.