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Environment · Nigeria

Obtain an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate

Get an EIA certificate from the Federal Ministry of Environment for a new project: registration → site verification → EIA study → public display → panel review → approval. Category I projects need a full EIA.

5
steps
3
agencies involved
Who you will deal with
Federal Ministry of Environment — Environmental Assessment Dept.Federal Ministry of EnvironmentAccredited EIA Consultant (Ministry-witnessed)
The steps
  1. 1Register the project
    Agency
    Federal Ministry of Environment — Environmental Assessment Dept.
    What is required
    Pay the registration fee (₦50,000) and collect the project registration/notification form. Projects are classified Category I (full EIA), II (partial ESIA) or III (exempt).
    Documents
    Project description; proof of registration-fee payment
    Typical timeline
    Registration stage
  2. 2Site verification
    Agency
    Federal Ministry of Environment
    What is required
    The Ministry conducts site verification of the proposed location with the proponent and their consultant.
    Documents
    Site access; project details
    Typical timeline
    Scheduled
  3. 3Conduct the EIA study
    Agency
    Accredited EIA Consultant (Ministry-witnessed)
    What is required
    Carry out the EIA study incl. baseline environmental data and laboratory analysis over two seasons, witnessed by the Ministry.
    Documents
    Baseline data; lab analysis; draft EIA report
    Typical timeline
    Two seasons
  4. 4Public display and panel review
    Agency
    Federal Ministry of Environment
    What is required
    The draft EIA report is displayed for 21 working days in affected LGAs and online for public comment, then reviewed by an independent Panel of Experts. Fees scale with category up to ~₦10,000,000 for panel review.
    Documents
    Draft EIA report (hard + electronic copies)
    Typical timeline
    21-day display + panel review
  5. 5Approval and certificate
    Agency
    Federal Ministry of Environment
    What is required
    On a favourable panel recommendation, the Ministry approves the EIA and issues the certificate (certification fee ~₦100,000).
    Documents
    Final EIA report; certification fee
    Typical timeline
    Total ~4-6 months

Primary source: https://ead.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2021-EIA-Procedures-and-Charges.pdf · confidence: high

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The numbers behind the decision

Knowing the process is half of it. ONYX also tracks the operating environment you are entering — daily grid generation, official FX, state-level input prices and inflation, and sector output — each figure source-linked and dated.

ONYX publishes what the responsible agencies publish, with a link to each source. Requirements, fees and timelines change, and an officer's reading of a rule can differ from the published text. Verify against the linked source before you commit money — this is reference information, not legal advice.

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