SEO Riders:
– Nigeria UNEP chemicals and waste collaboration
– NESREA capacity-building project
– Safe chemical governance in Nigeria
At an April 16, 2025 inception workshop in Abuja, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), represented by Director-General Dr. Innocent Barikor, formally launched a new three-year project in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) aimed at tackling the growing challenge of improper chemicals and waste management across Nigeria. The initiative—titled “Strengthening National Infrastructural and Human Capacity for Sound Chemicals and Waste Management in Nigeria”—marks a proactive shift toward safeguarding public health, environmental integrity, and socio-economic stability in the face of rapid industrialisation.
Key Objectives & Strategic Priorities:
- – Strengthening legislative and regulatory frameworks, with new national guidelines and standards aligned with global conventions—including Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm, Minamata, and the Global Framework for the Sound Management of Chemicals.
Building institutional and human capacity through training regulators, industry actors, and stakeholders in monitoring, compliance, and best practices.
Upgrading infrastructure for enhanced monitoring, disposal, recycling, and chemical tracking systems—including automation and laboratory strengthening.
Embedding gender equality and social inclusion, to ensure women and marginalized communities benefit from the initiative.
Fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration among government, the private sector, civil society, and international partners to create a harmonized and effective response.
UNEP Programme Officer Nicole Caesar, speaking virtually, emphasized the project’s role in supporting Nigeria’s institutional strengthening and the development of operational guidelines and industrial standards for sound chemicals and waste management.
