The Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) on Thursday unveiled a roadmap aimed at advancing a sustainable environmental future for Nigeria. The launch coincided with the society’s 40th anniversary celebrations, its National Conference, and the 35th Annual General Meeting in Abuja.
The roadmap outlines strategies for national environmental progress, calling for stronger collaboration between government, private sector, and the public.
Ms. Sarah Mukherjee, President of the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISED), UK, described NES as a “beacon of achievement” and commended the society for its 40 years of dedication to environmental advocacy, policy development, and capacity building.
“You should be rightly proud of 40 years of shaping national policies, from the National Policy on the Environment to the Environmental Impact Assessment Act. It is a landmark achievement,” Mukherjee said. She added that NES members have contributed significantly to inter-ministerial committees, technical advisory roles, and international environmental negotiations.
Dr. Efegbidiki Okobia, NES President, called the anniversary “a defining moment” in the society’s journey. He traced NES’s growth from an initial 10 professionals in the oil and gas sector to 35 chapters across Nigeria and one in the United Kingdom.
Okobia highlighted the passage of the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria Act in May 2023 as a major breakthrough, providing formal recognition for environmental practice in Nigeria. He also revealed a strategic partnership with ISED to enhance capacity building, professional accreditation, and technology exchange for Nigerian environmental practitioners.
Addressing the country’s worsening waste management crisis, Okobia described it as “a national disaster,” stressing the need for legislation enforcing waste segregation at source, alongside public awareness and strong institutional frameworks.
He announced that NES would soon launch the Nigerian Environmental Outlook, a policy tool designed to track national environmental indicators and guide evidence-based policymaking. “Our roadmap will focus on the practical implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions and ensure climate commitments reach the grassroots,” he said.
Mr. Hamid Adekunle, one of NES’s founding members, commended the society for achieving professionalisation of environmental practice and urged the next generation to prioritise research and innovation tailored to Nigeria’s unique environmental challenges.
“We were 10 when we started NES. I thank Almighty God to see 40 years of the seed we planted. I would like the society to focus on local solutions for our regional challenges rather than imported prescriptions,” Adekunle said.
Key components of the NES roadmap include strengthening policies, promoting green transitions, boosting public engagement, and investing in environmental innovations.
