The House of Representatives has passed 27 environment-focused bills out of a total of 899 proposed pieces of legislation within the last two years, according to its official spokesman.
Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Akin Rotimi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday to mark the 2025 World Environment Day, themed “Beat Plastic Pollution.” He emphasized that the 10th House remains committed to environmental protection, particularly in combating the growing menace of single-use plastics in urban areas, where such pollution poses increasing risks to health and sanitation.
Rep. Rotimi reaffirmed the House’s legislative focus on sustainable development, environmental resilience, and public well-being, noting that the environment continues to be a critical area of priority under the chamber’s 2023–2027 Legislative Agenda.
He said: “The House of Representatives joins the global community in commemorating World Environment Day 2025, themed ‘Beat Plastic Pollution,’ which draws attention to the far-reaching impact of plastic waste on public health, biodiversity, and fragile ecosystems.
“In keeping with our constitutional mandate and guided by Agenda 8 (Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability) of the Legislative Agenda (2023–2027), the 10th House of Representatives continues to prioritise legislation that strengthens Nigeria’s environmental governance framework.
“To date, 27 out of the 899 bills passed by the House in its first two years; 3.0% of total legislation (as of March 31, 2025), have been focused on the environment.”
Among the key achievements is the passage of the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, sponsored by Rep. Terseer Ugbor, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment. The bill seeks to enhance national efforts to combat wildlife crimes and safeguard Nigeria’s biodiversity.
Rep. Rotimi also highlighted ongoing reforms targeting several existing environmental laws, including amendments to the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, National Park Service Act, and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency Act.
“The House is also actively considering measures to curb the proliferation of single-use plastics, particularly in urban centres where the burden of plastic pollution continues to pose serious threats to health and sanitation,” he stated.
He further stressed that efforts to strengthen the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) are ongoing to ensure it is equipped to enforce environmental laws and uphold Nigeria’s obligations under international treaties.
Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Rep. Mike Etaba, echoed the commitment, stating: “Environmental protection is not a matter of convenience but an obligation to future generations.
“On this World Environment Day, we reaffirm our resolve to strengthen Nigeria’s environmental laws and enforcement institutions like NESREA, and to ensure our country meets its obligations under global environmental treaties.”
