By Abdullahi Lukman
The Federal Government, through the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, has inaugurated the chairmen and members of the governing boards of seven key environmental agencies under the Ministry of Environment.
The ceremony took place on Friday, August 1, 2025, in Abuja.
Lawal stated that the appointments reflect the administration’s strategic commitment to strengthening environmental governance as a core pillar of national development.
He emphasised that these agencies play a crucial role in addressing Nigeria’s environmental challenges and fulfilling international obligations.
“The agencies under your oversight are vital institutional anchors for climate action, pollution control, environmental enforcement, and biodiversity conservation,” he said.
He urged the new board members to provide strategic leadership, maintain policy coherence, and uphold good governance.
Lawal also stressed the need for a clear separation between governance and management roles, urging the appointees to ensure compliance, transparency, and institutional efficiency.
Speaking on behalf of the new members, Sen. Magnus Abe, Chairman of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, pledged their full commitment to the mandate and alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the federal government.
“We are determined to improve agency performance and deliver measurable results for the benefit of the country,” Abe said.
Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Mr. Michael Etaba, also charged the board members to act swiftly in tackling the nation’s pressing environmental issues.
Other board chairmen inaugurated include Ma’azu Rijai (National Biosafety Management Agency), Garba Datti (National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency), Ibrahim El-Sudi (Environmental Health Council of Nigeria), Abdulmalik Usman (Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria), Chief Edward Omo-Erewa (National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency), and Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu (National Park Service).
