ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT POLICY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) serves as a critical tool for sustainable development, providing a framework for evaluating the potential environmental consequences of proposed projects before implementation. This article examines the evolution, legal underpinnings, institutional framework, and operational challenges of EIA policy in Nigeria. Originating globally from the United States NEPA Act of 1970 and endorsed internationally through Principle 17 of Agenda 21, EIA was formally adopted in Nigeria through the EIA Act No. 86 of 1992. The study highlights Nigeria’s multi-layered regulatory framework, involving overlapping mandates from the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), and State Environmental Protection Agencies (SEPAs). It further explores classification criteria for EIA application, exemptions, and procedures for assessing inter-state and international environmental impacts. Despite legal advancements, the article identifies major implementation setbacks, including poor inter-agency coordination, inadequate enforcement, and political interference. Drawing from Nigeria’s environmental history, particularly the 1988 Koko toxic waste incident, this article underscores the importance of strengthening institutional synergy, capacity building, and public awareness to enhance the efficacy of EIA in promoting environmental sustainability and safeguarding ecological integrity.