Senate Committee on Environment
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| Abbreviation | SCE |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1979 (Re-established under the 1999 Constitution) |
| Founder | Nigerian Senate |
| Founded at | National Assembly Complex, Abuja |
| Type | Standing Committee |
| Legal status | Active |
| Purpose | Legislative oversight, environmental policy, and regulation |
| Headquarters | National Assembly Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja, Nigeria |
| Location |
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Region served | Federal Republic of Nigeria |
Official language | English |
Chairman | Senator Ned Munir Nwoko |
Parent organization | Nigerian Senate |
| Website | www.nass.gov.ng |
The Senate Committee on Environment is one of the standing committees of the Nigerian Senate, responsible for overseeing environmental matters across the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The committee plays a critical role in shaping environmental legislation, ensuring regulatory compliance, and conducting oversight of relevant ministries and agencies.
Constitutional and Legal Framework
[edit]Environmental governance in Nigeria is rooted in Section 20 of the Constitution of Nigeria, which mandates the state to “protect and improve the environment and safeguard the water, air and land, forest and wildlife of Nigeria.”[1] Although originally categorized under the non-justiciable Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, environmental rights have gained growing relevance through judicial activism and legislative actions.[2]
Several key statutes further empower the Senate to legislate and exercise oversight over environmental matters. These include the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act, the Harmful Waste (Special Criminal Provisions) Act, and the Climate Change Act, 2021.[3][4]
Mandate and Functions
[edit]The Committee is mandated to:
- Review environmental legislation and propose new laws to strengthen environmental governance.
- Conduct oversight of the Federal Ministry of Environment and its agencies including NESREA, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET).
- Investigate environmental degradation incidents, including oil spills, deforestation, and pollution.
- Ensure Nigeria's compliance with international environmental treaties and agreements such as the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biodiversity.
- Engage stakeholders from civil society, academia, and the private sector on matters related to sustainable development and climate change.
Leadership and Membership
[edit]The Committee is chaired by Ned Nwoko, a Nigerian senator representing Delta North Senatorial District. As Chairman, he directs legislative inquiries, public hearings, and consultative sessions on key environmental issues.[5]
Committee members are appointed by the Senate President and drawn from various geopolitical zones to ensure national representation and balanced policy perspectives.[6]
Scope of Oversight
[edit]The Committee’s oversight covers a broad range of environmental issues including:
- Climate change** mitigation and adaptation policies.[7]
- Air quality regulation and reduction of industrial and vehicular pollution.[8]
- Oil spill and gas flaring control, especially in the Niger Delta.[9]
- Forest preservation, afforestation initiatives, and combating illegal logging.[10]
- Erosion control and desertification mitigation, particularly in northern Nigeria.[11]
- Waste management, including hazardous and e-waste regulations.[12]
- Environmental education and awareness campaigns.
Key Legislation and Policy Reviews
[edit]The Committee has reviewed and contributed to the passage and amendment of various environmental laws, including:
- The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act
- The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act
- The Climate Change Act, 2021
- The Nigerian Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) Act
In 2024, the Committee led a public hearing on the amendment of the EIA Act to include provisions for digital monitoring and blockchain-based tracking of waste management systems.[13]
Stakeholder Engagement and Inter-Agency Collaboration
[edit]The Committee collaborates with multiple federal agencies and engages stakeholders during public hearings, town hall meetings, and technical briefings. These include:
- Federal Ministry of Environment
- NESREA
- Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET)
- National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA)
- Academia and environmental experts
- International organizations such as UNEP and UNDP
Political Significance
[edit]Environmental issues in Nigeria are deeply intertwined with political and economic challenges, particularly in the Niger Delta, where oil pollution, gas flaring, and resource control debates persist.[14] The Committee often serves as a platform for articulating regional concerns and mediating between the federal government and affected communities.
Challenges
[edit]Despite its broad mandate, the Committee faces numerous challenges, including:
- Insufficient funding and technical capacity of environmental agencies.
- Political interference and bureaucratic bottlenecks.
- Low compliance with environmental laws among corporations.
- Lack of real-time data and modern enforcement tools.
These constraints have hindered effective oversight and law enforcement, especially in sectors like oil and gas.[15]
See Also
[edit]- House Committee on Environment (Nigeria)
- National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency
- Federal Ministry of Environment
- Climate Change Act, 2021
- Environmental Impact Assessment Act (Nigeria)
References
[edit]- ^ Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Section 20.
- ^ BusinessDay. "Environmental rights as constitutional rights: Nigeria’s legal evolution." https://businessday.ng/opinion/article/environmental-rights-as-constitutional-rights-nigerias-legal-evolution/
- ^ National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency Act, 2007.
- ^ Environmental Impact Assessment Act, Cap E12 LFN 2004.
- ^ Nwafor (2025-02-11). "Senator Nwoko replaces Ubah as Chairman of Ad-Hoc Committee on refinery turnaround maintenance". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
- ^ Nigerian Senate Standing Orders (2022), Section 96.
- ^ Climate Change Act, 2021.
- ^ NESREA. "National Environmental (Air Quality Control) Regulations, 2021."
- ^ National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency Act.
- ^ Federal Ministry of Environment. "National Forest Policy 2020."
- ^ National Environmental (Desertification Control and Drought Mitigation) Regulations, 2011.
- ^ Harmful Waste (Special Criminal Provisions) Act, Cap H1, LFN 2004.
- ^ Premium Times. "Experts call for amendment of Nigeria’s Environmental Impact Assessment laws." https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/759789-experts-call-for-amendment-of-nigerias-environmental-impact-assessment-laws.html
- ^ Naturenews.africa. "Senate committee seeks sustainable climate policies to address N/Delta crisis." https://naturenews.africa/senate-committee-seeks-sustainable-climate-policies-to-address-n-delta-crisis/
- ^ Daily Post. "Senate expresses dissatisfaction over insufficient funding for environmental agencies." https://dailypost.ng/2025/01/14/senate-expresses-dissatisfaction-over-insufficient-funding-for-environmental-agencies/