National Policy on the Environment (Revised 1999)

What Is This Policy?

The National Policy on the Environment is Nigeria's overarching policy statement on the goals, principles, and approaches that guide all environmental management decisions in the country. It defines the roles of government, the private sector, communities, and citizens in protecting Nigeria's natural resources and preventing environmental degradation.

Who Does It Target?

All federal, state, and local government authorities with activities that affect the natural environment The private sector, including industries, extractive companies, and real estate developers Civil society organisations, communities, and individual citizens as environmental stewards International organisations and development partners investing in Nigeria's environmental management

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Secure for all Nigerians a quality environment adequate for their health, well-being, and social development Restore and protect ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources that sustain Nigeria's food, water, and energy security Integrate environmental considerations into all sector policies, development plans, and investment decisions Enforce the Polluter Pays Principle, making industries legally and financially responsible for the environmental damage they cause

Key Features

Polluter Pays Principle: Industries and individuals that cause environmental damage bear the full cost of cleanup, restoration, and compensation EIA as a Gatekeeping Tool: No major development project can proceed without a federal-approved Environmental Impact Assessment, enforced by FMOE and monitored by NESREA Inter-Agency Coordination: Policy mandates coordination among FMOE, NESREA, NOSDRA, NAFDAC, NAEB, state environmental agencies, and MDAs to avoid regulatory duplication Public Participation: All environmental policies and EIA processes must include public consultation with affected communities before final approval Natural Resource Accounting: Promotes incorporation of natural resource depletion costs into national economic accounting and government budgeting International Obligations: Nigeria is a party to UNFCCC, CBD, Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm, Minamata, CITES, and other global environmental conventions, all implemented under this policy

Current Status

The policy is in force, having been revised in 1999, and it continues to guide environmental management decisions as described in the existing content.

Legal Framework

The National Policy on the Environment operates under the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act 2007, the Environmental Impact Assessment Act 1992, and the Harmful Waste (Special Criminal Provisions) Act. It aligns with the 1999 Constitution (Section 20, environmental objectives), the Climate Change Act 2021, and Nigeria's commitments under the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions on hazardous waste and chemicals.