Abuja: The Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) on Thursday unveiled a roadmap for a sustainable environmental future during an event marking NES' 40th anniversary, its National Conference, and the 35th Annual General Meeting.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the roadmap was presented in Abuja, outlining several strategies for Nigeria's environmental progress and calling for stronger collaboration and public action. Ms. Sarah Mukherjee, President of the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISED), UK, described NES as a beacon of achievement through unified vision and effort. She commended the society for its 40-year commitment to environmental advocacy, policy development, and capacity building.
Mukherjee highlighted NES's role in shaping national policies like the National Policy on the Environment and the Environmental Impact Assessment Act. She noted the contributions of NES members on inter-ministerial committees and in international environmental negotiations, emphasizing the institute's role in Nigeria's environmental governance. She also drew parallels between Nigeria's environmental challenges and global issues such as waste management, pollution control, and energy efficiency.
Dr. Efegbidiki Okobia described the milestone as a defining moment for NES, recounting its growth from a small group of professionals to 35 chapters across Nigeria and one in the UK. He highlighted the passage of the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria Act as a major breakthrough, providing a foundation for environmental practice in Nigeria. Okobia announced NES's strategic partnership with ISED to enhance capacity building and technology exchange.
He expressed concern over Nigeria's worsening waste management crisis, calling it a national disaster, and advocated for legislation to enforce waste segregation. Okobia also revealed plans to launch the Nigerian Environmental Outlook, a new policy tool for tracking environmental indicators and guiding evidence-based policymaking.
Mr. Hamid Adekunle, a founding member of NES, praised the current leadership for professionalizing environmental practice. He urged future generations to focus on research and innovation tailored to Nigeria's unique environmental challenges. Adekunle reflected on NES's beginnings and emphasized the importance of crafting local solutions.
Key components of the roadmap include strengthening policies, promoting green transitions, boosting engagement, and investing in innovations.