By Gabriel Ewepu
ABUJA – FOLLOWING outstanding performance in environmental practices and governance, Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Jigawa States, Thursday, emerged winners of Nigeria Environmental Sustainability Merit Awards (NESMA) 2026 under the Excellence in Environmental Governance category.
Lagos was rated 74, and emerged 1st for outstanding performance in Environmental Policies, Regulations and Enforcement. Akwa-Ibom State had rating: 72, and took the 2nd position for outstanding performance in Cleanliness and Municipal Solid Management.
Meanwhile, Jigawa State emerged 3rd with the rating: 68.5 for outstanding performance in attaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
Other states that made the top 6 position include Cross River (4th) for being outstanding in biodiversity conservation and climate resilience, Abia (5th) as most improved in Municipal Solid Waste Management and Urban Renewal while Enugu emerged 6th for improved Solid Waste Management System and Sanitation. NESMA is coordinated by the Sustainability Awards and Scorecards (SAS) Commission of the Nigerian Environmental Summit Group (NESUG).
The performance index parameters include: policy and regulatory framework, waste management infrastructure and system, cleanliness, ODF and WASH compliance, biodiversity conservation and greening, advocacy and resource allocation and mobilization.
Award expert screening panel is composed officials from Federal Ministry of Environment, Climate Change Department, Clean Nigerian Campaign and WASH Secretariat, NESREA, Women Environmental Programme (WEP), AdasiScience, Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (IEPN) amongst others.
Also, Lafarge Africa Plc bagged the Nigeria Environmental Sustainability Pillar: Corporate Partner of the Year Award, and was received by the company’s Director, Health, Safety and Environment, Rachael Ezembakwe.
The awards were presented by the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, represented by the Director, Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Mrs. Adeola Omotunde.
“This award is a national honour in recognition of your selfless efforts toward the growth of the Nigeria’s environmental sector and impacts on the larger society through policy strengthening, enforcement action, research, advocacy, resource mobilization and green projects” the Minister said.
The Minister commended the award initiative, noting that recognising environmental excellence would encourage healthy competition and strengthen environmental governance across the country.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting climate action, green investment, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable development.
Speaking at the Summit, the Chairman of Occasion, Dr. Mutiu Sunmonu, CON, former Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), emphasized that environmental leadership requires vision, accountability, and collaboration.
He noted that Nigeria’s transition to a green economy requires institutions, communities, and leaders who can convert environmental challenges into opportunities for sustainable development.
The Chairman of the NESt 2026 Implementation Committee, Dr. Edwin Isotu Edeh, described the awards as a platform to celebrate environmental champions and inspire sub-national governments to adopt 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,” Dr. Edeh said.
Earlier, the NESUG Eco-Awards Coordinator and Head, Industry and Pollution Technology Unit, NESREA, Chem. Isijaan Nkanta while announcing the 2026 award winners emphasized that the award selection process was hinged on merit, credibility and utmost transparency.
“NESMA Excellence in Environmental Governance Award is the biggest and most engaging national award in the environment sector in Nigeria. It is a celebration of State Governments who have shown strong commitment in environmental stewardship and a preservation of Nigeria’s national environmental heritage.
“The selection process was quite rigorous involving open nomination, experts screening, nationwide voting attracting 5,850 responses, standardized rating and validation in line global best practices”, Isijaan said.
In a related development, six distinguished national environmental leaders have emerged winners of the Nigeria Environmental Sustainability Merit Awards (NESMA) 2026 under the Distinguished Environmental Personality of All Time Category, and were inducted into the Nigerian Environmental Sustainability Hall of Fame.
The honourees include: Dr. Iganya Joy Agene, a Senior Environmental Specialist, World Bank -notable for her lead role in the ACReSAL and NEWMAP projects in Nigeria with a combined value of $1.6 billion; Prof. Oladele Osibanjo, a renowned environmental chemist and pioneer Executive Director, Basel Convention Coordination Centre for African Region (BCCA), University of Ibadan -notable for his leading role in the analysis of the infamous ‘Koko Toxic Waste’ as well as Dr. Ngeri Benebo, pioneer Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), a fearless enforcer notable for leadership role for prohibiting e-waste entry into the country.
Other awardees are Sanitarian Augustine Ebisike – pioneer Registrar, Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON), Rev. Nnimmo Bassey –Founder, Home of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) and an internationally recognised environmental justice advocate, and Ms. Amina J. Mohammed – former Minister of Environment, current United Nations Deputy Secretary-General and global sustainability leader.
Notable environmentalists among the top 12 finalist include: Prof. Charles Anosike (DG, NiMet), Dr. Salisu Dahiru (pioneer DG, NCCC), Mrs. Damilola Fabiyi (CEO, Sustainable Energy for All), Engr. Prof. Olu-Andah Wai-Ogosu (former President, Nigerian Environmental Society and MOSOP Leader), Dr. Iroro Tanshi (Co-Founder, SMACON and renowned Bat Conservationist) and Ms. Elsie Attafuah (UN Country Representative in Nigeria).
