The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) National Secretariat has passed a vote of confidence on the Director General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Professor Innocent Barikor, commending his leadership and the agency’s renewed enforcement of environmental regulations, while urging the Federal Government to strengthen the institution’s capacity to deliver greater results for the nation.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, National Secretary General of NANS, Comrade Oladimeji Uthman observed that since his assumption of office of the DG in May 2024, Professor Barikor has overseen several notable initiatives aimed at strengthening environmental governance, promoting regulatory compliance and safeguarding public health.
He said, “His administration has placed renewed emphasis on holding industrial operators accountable for activities that threaten environmental sustainability and the well-being of host communities.
“Among the notable milestones is the agency’s enforcement record. In 2024, NESREA conducted 1,671 compliance-monitoring inspections and shut down 96 facilities for various environmental violations including recycling plants, construction sites and other industrial establishments found to have violated applicable environmental regulations. These actions demonstrated the importance of enforcing environmental standards rather than allowing businesses to operate without regard for public health and ecological safety.”
NANS said it considered such enforcement measures important to protecting vulnerable communities, particularly where industrial activities expose residents to toxic substances, air pollution, and other environmental hazards.
The students body maintained that economic activities must not come at the expense of human lives, public health or environmental sustainability.
The association also acknowledged the agency’s regulatory initiatives, including the implementation of the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulations 2024 and the advancement of Extended Producer Responsibility programmes across relevant sectors.
These measures, it said, promote greater accountability among producers and encourage responsible management of products and waste throughout their life cycles.
Uthman stated, “Furthermore, the agency’s efforts to strengthen environmental research infrastructure, including the upgrading of the National Environmental Reference Laboratory in Port Harcourt, represent an important component of building the technical capacity required for effective environmental monitoring and investigation.
“NANS believes that these initiatives provide a reasonable basis for recognising the direction of the agency’s work under Professor Barikor, while emphasising that sustained progress must be measured by consistent enforcement, transparent reporting, measurable environmental improvements, and the protection of communities across the federation.
“As the umbrella body representing all Nigerian students at home and in diaspora, NANS recognizes that environmental protection is inseparable from the future of young people. Environmental pollution, unsafe waste-disposal practices, industrial contamination, and the degradation of natural resources can undermine public health, educational opportunities, livelihoods and the prospects of future generations.
“Students therefore have a legitimate interest in the effectiveness of institutions charged with protecting the environment. We believe that a healthier environment is essential to building safer campuses, more sustainable communities and a nation in which economic development does not compromise the well-being of its citizens.
“Consequently, the association’s vote of confidence in Professor Innocent Barikor reflects its recognition of the reported progress made under his leadership and its expectation that the agency will continue to improve its performance, strengthen public engagement, and ensure that environmental regulations are applied fairly and consistently.”
While commending the agency’s efforts, NANS callrd on the Federal Government to provide NESREA with stronger institutional, financial, technical, and operational support to enable it to fulfill its statutory responsibilities more effectively.
The association noted that environmental challenges across Nigeria require more than regulatory pronouncements.
“They demand adequately equipped laboratories, modern monitoring technologies, well-resourced field operations, continuous staff training, effective public-awareness programmes and stronger collaboration among federal and state environmental authorities,” it said.
NANS also urged the Federal Government to strengthen the agency’s presence across the country, improve the responsiveness of its enforcement mechanisms, and support public education on environmental compliance, waste management, pollution prevention, and biodiversity conservation.
Uthman added, “We stress that providing stronger support for NESREA should not diminish the agency’s independence in carrying out its statutory duties. Rather, adequate resources should empower it to enforce environmental standards consistently, irrespective of the status or influence of the individuals and organisations involved.
“The Federal Government must equally recognise that strengthening NESREA is an investment in public health, national development, environmental security and the future of Nigerian students.
A protected environment is not a luxury, it is a necessity for national survival and sustainable development.
“In addition, we encourage NESREA to sustain transparent reporting of its enforcement activities and environmental outcomes, while expanding meaningful engagement with students, youth organizations, host communities, industries and other relevant stakeholders.
“NANS maintains that the protection of Nigeria’s environment is a collective responsibility that requires effective institutions, responsible industries, informed citizens and sustained government commitment.
“The association therefore commends the leadership direction demonstrated by Professor Innocent Barikor and expresses confidence in the potential for further progress under his stewardship, while urging him to consolidate the gains recorded, address existing implementation gaps and pursue measurable improvements in environmental protection.
“NANS remains committed to supporting legitimate initiatives that advance environmental sustainability and calls on all stakeholders to work towards a cleaner, safer, and healthier Nigeria.”