Renewables
Stakeholders urge reform of Nigeria's environmental laws
Civil society groups have warned the federal government to avoid the environmental mistakes of the Niger Delta as the country expands into renewable energy and critical minerals.
Key points
- Stakeholders issued a 12-point communiqué calling for stronger environmental and social safeguards.
- Experts argue that Nigeria's 1992 environmental assessment law is outdated for modern energy transition projects.
- The policy lab urged for enhanced community participation and digital transparency in regulatory reporting.
Policy lab concerns
Civil society organisations and institutional representatives have cautioned Abuja against replicating the ecological and social grievances associated with the Niger Delta as the nation develops green hydrogen, renewable power, and critical mineral sectors.
According to a communiqué issued after a multi-stakeholder policy lab in Port Harcourt, the long-term success of the nation's green transition relies heavily on robust environmental safeguards and active host community involvement.
Organised by the CLEEN Foundation with backing from Heinrich Boll Stiftung, the two-day event highlighted persistent shortcomings in regulatory enforcement, public transparency, and local participation.
Outdated legislation
Dr Salaudeen Hashim, programme director at the CLEEN Foundation, pointed out that the current environmental assessment legislation dates back to 1992. He noted that the framework fails to adequately cover climate change, biodiversity, cumulative impacts, or the social aspects of a transition in energy sources.
Participants recommended updating the Environmental Impact Assessment Act to establish life-cycle governance, moving beyond simple project approvals to include continuous monitoring, decommissioning, and site remediation.
Demands for transparency
The communiqué also requested that environmental data, compliance records, and assessment reports be published on digital platforms to improve accountability. Furthermore, delegates emphasized that community engagement must go beyond basic consultations to ensure local concerns genuinely influence project outcomes.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
6.2% of electricity in Niger was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
