List Of All Ministers Of Environment In Nigeria (2003-Present)
The Ministry of Environment in Nigeria was created in 1999 after the country returned to democracy. It was made to deal with environmental issues and make sure all environmental matters are handled well across Nigeria.
The ministry’s responsibilities include making policies to stop the spread of deserts, cutting down trees, and pollution, and managing climate change and clean energy projects.
It also oversees different organizations and research institutes that focus on protecting and maintaining the environment.
The ministry plays an important part in promoting sustainable use of natural resources, fixing damaged ecosystems, and educating the public about environmental issues. It has completed big projects, like the Ogoni land clean-up program, to help areas affected by oil exploration.
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List Of All Ministers Of Environment In Nigeria (2003-Present)
Minister | Term Start | Term End | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|
Bala Muhammed Mande | 2003 | 2005 | Military |
Dr. Iyorchia Ayu | 2005 | 2005 | People's Democratic Party (PDP) |
Mrs. Helen Esuene | 2005 | 2007 | People's Democratic Party (PDP) |
Mrs. Halima Tayo Alao | 2005 | 2007 | People's Democratic Party (PDP) |
Mr. John Odey | 2007 | 2009 | People's Democratic Party (PDP) |
Mrs. Amina Mohammed | 2015 | 2019 | All Progressives Congress (APC) |
Mr. Ibrahim Jibril | 2019 | 2021 | All Progressives Congress (APC) |
Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar | 2021 | 2023 | All Progressives Congress (APC) |
Balarabe Abbas Lawal | 2023 | Present | All Progressives Congress (APC) |
Who Was The First Minister Of Environment In Nigeria?
Iyorchia Ayu was the first Minister of Environment in Nigeria. Born on November 15, 1952, in Gboko, Benue State, he began his career as a sociology lecturer at the University of Jos.
Ayu was active in the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), where he served as the chairman of the university’s chapter. He also taught courses on Marxism during his time as a lecturer.
Ayu joined politics and became a prominent figure among the Tiv people in Benue State. In the early 1990s, he was elected as a senator during Nigeria’s Third Republic on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
During his tenure, he was elected the Senate President in 1992. However, his tenure was short as he was impeached in November 1993 due to his opposition to the Interim National Government, which was established after the annulment of the presidential election won by Moshood Abiola.
Regardless, Ayu remained active in politics. He later served as the Minister of Education under General Sani Abacha’s military regime from 1993 to 1998, charing a workshop on technical education in Nigeria, exploring ways to improve the system by learning from countries like Germany, the United States, Britain, and Japan.
In 1999, when Nigeria returned to civilian rule, Ayu played a part in the campaign to elect Olusegun Obasanjo as President on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) platform. After Obasanjo’s election, Ayu was appointed as the Minister of Industry.
He served in this position from 1999 to 2001 before being appointed as the Minister of Internal Affairs in 2003. During his tenure, he worked on several initiatives, including negotiating security pacts with neighboring countries to fight smuggling, human trafficking, and cross-border banditry.
In June 2005, Ayu was reassigned to the position of Minister of Environment during a cabinet reshuffle. He focused on environmental issues, including advocating for effective financial mechanisms to help African countries manage chemicals safely.
Also, he pushed for fair access to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) funds and increased allocations to developing countries. However, Ayu’s tenure as Minister of Environment was also short.
In December 2005, President Obasanjo dismissed him from the position without providing a clear reason. Following this dismissal, Ayu left the PDP and joined the Action Congress (AC), and he became head of the campaign to elect Vice President Atiku Abubakar as president in the 2007 elections.
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Who Is The Current Minister Of Environment In Nigeria?
Balarabe Abbas Lawal is the current Minister of Environment in Nigeria, taking office on October 9, 2023, under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Lawal works with Iziaq Adekunle Salako, who is the Minister of State for Environment. Born on February 5, 1958, Lawal has spent many years in public service and politics.
He attended Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science. Lawal has held different roles in government over the years.
Before becoming the Minister of Environment, he served as the Secretary to the Kaduna State Government. He worked under two governors, first with Nasir El-Rufai from May 2015 to May 2023, and then with Uba Sani from May 2023 until he was appointed minister in October 2023.
Lawal’s experience also includes working as the Chief of Staff to Nasir El-Rufai when El-Rufai was the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory from July 2003 to July 2007.
Earlier in his career, from September 1999 to February 2001, Lawal served as a Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Education.
Following this, he worked at the Ministry of Defence as a Special Assistant to the Minister of State for the Nigerian Army from February 2001 to May 2003.
Before entering government service, Lawal was a lecturer at the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria from 1982 to 1989. Now as the Minister of Environment, Lawal is responsible for addressing environmental issues in Nigeria.
This includes managing natural resources, promoting sustainable development, and tackling challenges such as climate change and pollution.
