NESREA ACT

What Is This Policy?

The NESREA Act 2007 established the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency as Nigeria's primary environmental enforcement body — replacing FEPA and giving NESREA legal authority to enforce all environmental laws, standards, and regulations across all sectors except the upstream petroleum sector (regulated separately by NUPRC).

Who Does It Target?

All industries, businesses, and institutions generating pollution, waste, or other environmental impacts Construction companies and real estate developers with EIA obligations Importers of hazardous chemicals, materials, and waste State Environmental Protection Agencies (SEPAs) and LGA environmental officers who work in coordination with NESREA Citizens and communities reporting pollution incidents and environmental violations

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Enforce Nigeria's national environmental standards, regulations, and guidelines across all sectors of the economy Prevent and control pollution of air, water, land, and the food environment throughout Nigeria Coordinate with state and local environmental agencies to build a coherent national environmental enforcement network Ensure compliance with Nigeria's international environmental treaty obligations — Basel Convention, CITES, Stockholm Convention, Minamata Convention

Key Features

Broad Enforcement Jurisdiction: NESREA covers all sectors except upstream oil and gas — enforcing standards in agriculture, manufacturing, construction, trade, services, and households Standards & Regulations: Issues sector-specific environmental regulations (over 25 subsidiary regulations covering water, air, soil, noise, solid waste, chemicals, and sector-specific rules) EIA Compliance Monitoring: NESREA monitors implementation of Environmental Impact Assessment conditions for all approved projects to ensure post-approval compliance State-Federal Coordination: Coordinates with 36 State Environmental Protection Agencies to harmonise enforcement and share intelligence on violators Criminal and Civil Penalties: NESREA can impose fines, close facilities, seize goods, and refer cases for criminal prosecution under the Act Public Reporting Portal: Citizens can report environmental violations to NESREA's complaint portal for investigation and enforcement action

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active — NESREA has zonal and state field offices across all 36 states and FCT Implementing Body: NESREA, reporting to the Federal Ministry of Environment Coverage: National — all environmental compliance outside the upstream oil and gas sector Regulatory Output: NESREA has issued 25+ sector-specific environmental regulations, standards, and guidelines Enforcement Track Record: NESREA conducted 3,200+ compliance inspections in 2022; issued over 400 enforcement notices and 150 facility closures

How to Access

Businesses: Register with NESREA for environmental compliance audits; obtain sector-specific environmental licences and permits New Projects: Submit EIA to FMENV before project commencement; notify NESREA for post-approval compliance monitoring registration Report a Violation: Submit complaints via NESREA's online portal or call the 24-hour complaint line: nesrea.gov.ng/complaint Contact: NESREA: nesrea.gov.ng | [email protected] | +234 (0)9 7810 0027

Important Terms

Mandatory EIA: All projects listed in Schedule 1 of the EIA Act must obtain environmental approval — NESREA monitors post-approval compliance No Derogation: NESREA standards set minimum national thresholds — state regulations can be more stringent but not less

Official Resources

Website: nesrea.gov.ng Contact: NESREA, Plot 722, Samuel Ademulegun Street, Central Business District, Abuja | +234 (0)9 7810 0027 Policy Summary | Source: NESREA, FME, EIA Act, World Bank, UNEP | February 2026

Legal Framework

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act 2007 is the primary environmental enforcement legislation in Nigeria. It operates under Section 20 of the 1999 Constitution (environmental objectives) and alongside the Environmental Impact Assessment Act 1992, the Harmful Waste (Special Criminal Provisions) Act, and the Climate Change Act 2021. NESREA aligns with Nigeria's obligations under the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm, and Minamata Conventions on hazardous substances and waste.