The University of Port Harcourt has promoted the director-general of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. Innocent Barikor to the rank of Professor of Political Economy and Development Studies.
His promotion was among 46 academic staff elevated during the university’s 187th Governing Council meeting, chaired by the institution’s pro-chancellor and chairman, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa.
In a statement, vice-chancellor, Prof. Owunari Georgewill announced that 30 senior academics were promoted to full professor, while 16 others advanced to associate professor, having successfully undergone the university’s rigorous assessment process.
Barikor was appointed director-general of NESREA in May 2023 and, since then, has made significant strides in promoting environmental sustainability in Nigeria.
Under his leadership, the agency has aggressively implemented the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme across key sectors, including food and beverage, battery, used tyres and electrical/electronics industries.
He has also spearheaded the development of crucial environmental policies and regulations, including the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulations 2024 and the National Guidelines for the Implementation of EPR for (Plastic) Packaging. Additionally, the National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations is awaiting gazettement.
Barikor has overseen the review of key environmental regulations, including the National Environmental (Permitting and Licensing Systems) Regulations 2009 and the National Environmental (International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora) Regulations 2011.
During his tenure, NESREA has conducted 1,671 compliance monitoring inspections across various facilities, resulting in the closure of 96 facilities for violating environmental laws.
To improve efficiency and enhance environmental governance at the grassroots level, he has expanded NESREA’s presence in key states across the country.
Through partnerships with international agencies, he has facilitated the equipping of the National Reference Laboratory in Port Harcourt with state-of-the-art research and investigation tools, with funding support from UKAid’s Fleming Fund and technical assistance from Management Sciences for Health (MSH) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The laboratory has also been outfitted with a 30KVA solar power system to ensure uninterrupted operations.
In March 2025, NESREA launched the National Industrial Decarbonisation Programme (NIDP) to tackle carbon emissions from industrial activities. The agency also hosted an international conference under the Partnership for Responsible Battery and Metal Recycling (PROBAMET) to enhance lead-battery recycling standards across Africa.
Barikor’s leadership has attracted support from international partners, including the European Union, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the German and Japanese governments, the African Centre for Protection and the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation (EPIF).
His contributions to environmental governance, policy development and industrial regulation continue to position NESREA as a leading institution in sustainable environmental management in Nigeria.
