An academic, Prof. Ijeoma Vincent-Akpu, says effective Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) remains fundamental to sustainable development, environmental protection and good governance in Nigeria.
Vincent-Akpu, immediate past Association for Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria (AEIAN) president, spoke in an interview on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in Lagos.
She spoke after receiving AEIAN’s Distinguished Service Award for her contributions to the association’s growth and institutional strengthening.
Expressing gratitude, she described the award as humbling and encouraging.
“I am grateful and deeply humbled by this recognition. I thank God that the association remembered our work and deemed it fit to honour me,” she said.
She said the association was now in capable hands and would continue to grow stronger.
“I believe AEIAN is in a better place and will continue to go from strength to strength,” Vincent-Akpu said.
Speaking on EIA practice, she stressed stronger collaboration between government and professional bodies.
She said sustainability and environmental protection depended largely on proper and effective impact assessments.
“Governments must collaborate with professionals because sustainability, good governance and environmental protection are anchored on proper EIA,” she said.
Vincent-Akpu noted government efforts to strengthen frameworks, including collaboration with the World Bank on procurement and EIA training programmes.
She expressed optimism that the initiatives would improve standards in the long run.
However, she raised concerns over recurring controversies surrounding major infrastructure projects.
She said citizens often questioned whether proper needs assessments and EIAs preceded project approvals.
Vincent-Akpu lamented that EIA was sometimes treated merely as a bureaucratic requirement.
“Many people see EIA only as a means to obtain permits or funding. In reality, EIA guides proper project design, benefiting proponents, government and the environment,” she said.
She attributed poor EIAs to reluctance by public and private proponents to commit resources.
“Unfortunately, even governments sometimes find it difficult to invest in proper EIAs. This impunity is obvious in our environment,” she said.
She said public advocacy could compel adjustments, but EIAs were often conducted late or inadequately.
Advising engineers and contractors, Vincent-Akpu urged prioritisation of environmental protection and sustainability.
“EIA does not stop development; it ensures development benefits the people, protects the environment and safeguards the future,” she said.
She said proper EIAs help developers reduce costs, avoid penalties and improve project design.
“EIA protects the environment, the developer and the government. Everyone benefits,” she said.
Vincent-Akpu said sustainability required pursuing environmental, social and economic goals simultaneously.
“If one is pursued at the expense of others, everyone loses. When all three work together, society benefits,” she said.
By Fabian Ekeruche