The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has released updated guidelines for environmental audits in Nigeria.
The unveiling took place at a workshop held today in collaboration with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a globally recognised think tank based in New Delhi, India. The event brought together over 350 participants, including NESREA-accredited consultants and agency staff.
An environmental audit involves evaluating a facility’s or organisation’s environmental performance through a systematic review of its operations. This process identifies and addresses environmental issues while improving operational efficiency and environmental conditions. Unlike a one-time activity, an environmental audit is an ongoing process essential for sustainable industrial practices.
The need to revise the guidelines arose from concerns that existing audit reports lacked critical technical data, undermining their effectiveness in accurately assessing industrial performance. Speaking at the official launch of the revised guidelines, NESREA’s director-general, Dr. Innocent Barikor highlighted these deficiencies. He stated, “Audit reports from consultants often come in inconsistent formats, lack crucial information, and fail to reflect the actual operational status of facilities. Moreover, these reports often do not align with the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) developed during Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA). The new guidelines aim to streamline and standardise the environmental audit process.”
Barikor credited the successful revision of the guidelines to the collaborative efforts between NESREA and CSE. He expressed gratitude to CSE for its support, noting that the updated guidelines would improve the accuracy and consistency of audit reports in Nigeria. He also emphasized NESREA’s commitment to monitoring the submitted reports closely. “The Agency will verify the parameters in audit reports and take decisive action against any consultant found guilty of falsification, fabrication, or plagiarism,” he warned.
The revised guidelines were developed following a detailed review of existing environmental audit reports across various sectors. Officials from NESREA and CSE observed significant gaps in the technical data provided in these reports, which limited their effectiveness. For example, many reports lacked quantitative data on production capacity, energy and water consumption, and the volumes of wastewater and solid waste generated. Additionally, most reports included data for only one year, making it impossible to track trends or improvements over time.
Highlighting the importance of robust audits, CSE representative Ishita Garg explained, “A comprehensive environmental audit helps industries identify gaps in their environmental management plans and take corrective action. It also optimises resource use, increases efficiency, and can lead to significant monetary benefits. From a regulatory perspective, a thorough audit enables better assessment of compliance and performance trends over multiple years.”
Garg noted that many existing reports contained qualitative insights but fell short in providing critical quantitative data. “The absence of sufficient technical data renders the audit process ineffective. Reports should include at least two to three years of data for meaningful comparisons and insights into industry performance,” she added.
NESREA’s director of inspection and enforcement, Mr. Isa Abdussalam underscored the technical improvements in the revised guidelines. “The new guidelines emphasise quantitative and technical data alongside mitigation measures adopted by industries over time. These enhancements make the guidelines valuable not only for project proponents and experts conducting audits but also for regulatory bodies reviewing audit reports,” he explained.
The updated guidelines aim to bridge the gaps identified in the earlier framework and foster better compliance with environmental standards. By prioritising data accuracy and consistency, the guidelines promise to enhance industrial accountability and promote sustainable practices in Nigeria.
The partnership between NESREA and CSE reflects a shared commitment to environmental protection and regulatory excellence. As industries adopt the revised guidelines, they are expected to improve their environmental performance and align more closely with global best practices.
