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NESt2026: Nigeria honours six environmental leaders, ranks Lagos best-performing state – EnviroNews
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Six distinguished environmental leaders were inducted into the Nigeria Environmental Sustainability Hall of Fame at the 2026 Nigeria Environmental Sustainability Merit Awards (NESMA) held in Abuja.
The induction coincided with the recognition of Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Jigawa as the top-performing states in environmental governance.
The inductees included Dr Iganya-Joy Agene, Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank; and Prof. Oladele Osibanjo, pioneer Executive Director, Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for the African Region.
Also honoured was Dr Ngeri Benebo, pioneer Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), for contributions to environmental sustainability.
Other awardees were Sanitarian Augustine Ebisike, pioneer Registrar, Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON); and Rev. Nnimmo Bassey, Founder, Home of Mother Earth Foundation.
The list also included Amina Mohammed, former Minister of Environment and United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, recognised for global sustainability leadership.
According to the organisers, the award recognises individuals whose contributions have advanced environmental governance, policy development, advocacy, research, enforcement and sustainable development in Nigeria.
Presenting the awards on behalf of the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, the Director Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Mrs. Adeola Omotunde, described the recognition as a national honour for outstanding service to environmental sustainability.
She said the awardees had distinguished themselves through policy strengthening, research, advocacy, resource mobilisation and implementation of environmental projects.
Omotunde said recognising excellence would encourage healthy competition and strengthen environmental governance across the country.
She reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to climate action, ecosystem restoration, green investment and sustainable development.
Speaking at the summit, Chairman of the occasion, Dr Mutiu Sunmonu, a former Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, said environmental leadership required vision, accountability and collaboration.
Sunmonu noted that Nigeria’s transition to a green economy would depend on leaders and institutions capable of transforming environmental challenges into opportunities for sustainable development.
Also speaking, Chairman of the NESt 2026 Implementation Team, Dr Edwin Isotu-Edeh, said the awards were designed to celebrate environmental champions and encourage evidence-based sustainability practices.
“The future of Nigeria’s environment will be shaped by those who take responsibility today.
“These recognitions demonstrate that environmental stewardship is not only a responsibility but also a pathway to economic growth, resilience and national pride,” he said.
Earlier, NESUG Eco-Awards & Scorecard Co-Chair and Head of Industry and Pollution Technology Unit at NESREA, Mr. Isijaan Nkanta, said the selection process was based on merit, credibility and transparency.
Nkanta said the Hall of Fame selection involved open nominations, expert screening, nationwide voting that attracted 5,850 responses, standardised ratings and validation in line with global best practices.
He added that assessment criteria included years of service, policy development, research, leadership impact, advocacy, resource mobilisation and global influence.
In the Excellence in Environmental Governance category, Lagos State emerged first with a score of 74 for its performance in environmental policies, regulations and enforcement.
Akwa Ibom State placed second with a score of 72 for achievements in cleanliness and municipal solid waste management, while Jigawa State ranked third with a score of 68.5 for attaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
Cross River State came fourth for biodiversity conservation and climate resilience, while Abia and Enugu states placed fifth and sixth respectively for improvements in waste management, urban renewal and sanitation.
The organisers said the state rankings were based on indicators including policy and regulatory frameworks, waste management systems, cleanliness, ODF and WASH compliance, biodiversity conservation, environmental advocacy and resource mobilisation.
The expert screening panel comprised representatives of the Federal Ministry of Environment, NESREA, the Clean Nigeria Campaign Secretariat, Women Environmental Programme (WEP), AdasiScience and the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (IEPN), among others.
Also at the event, Lafarge Africa Plc received the Nigeria Environmental Sustainability Pillar Corporate Partner of the Year Award, which was received by the company’s Director of Health, Safety and Environment, Mrs Rachael Ezembakwe.
NESMA is facilitated by the Sustainability Awards and Scorecards Commission of the Nigerian Environmental Summit Group (NESUG).
By Tosin Kolade
