The Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has emphasized the need for a clear delineation of responsibilities among stakeholders in pest control regulation while advocating for increased private sector participation in the environmental health sector.
Dr. Yakubu Baba, Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of EHCON, made this call during a Multi-Stakeholder Enlightenment and Engagement Forum held on World Environment Day 2025 in Lagos. The event, jointly organized by EHCON and the Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN), focused on reviewing the National Environmental Health Guideline Regulations 2025.
Speaking virtually, Baba described the updated regulations as “a child of necessity,” aimed at integrating stakeholders under a unified regulatory framework. He stressed the importance of distinguishing between regulators and service providers to avoid conflicts of interest. “One cannot be a regulator and a service delivery company at the same time,” he noted.
Baba highlighted the critical public health implications of pest infestations, referencing diseases such as Lassa fever and malaria. He called for standardized pest control services, proper training and regulation of practitioners, inter-sectoral collaboration, and robust surveillance systems. He also emphasized that pest control is a strategic tool for national disease prevention and urged increased awareness to address challenges in the sector.
Environmental health remained largely unregulated in Nigeria until 2002, when the democratic government enacted the Environmental Health Officers (Registration, etc.) Act 11 of 2002 (as amended). The Act established EHCON to regulate the environmental health profession in the country.
In his welcome address, PECAN National President Olakunle Williams described the 2025 regulations as a “transformative shift” in pest and vector control in Nigeria. He explained that the previous model, managed primarily at the local government level, had led to regulatory fragmentation, inconsistent practices, and the proliferation of unlicensed operators.
Williams outlined the new regulatory framework, which positions EHCON at the federal level as the apex body responsible for national licensing and professional standards. State and local governments, on the other hand, are tasked with operational permits, compliance enforcement, and grassroots advocacy. He noted that the transition from fragmented oversight to coordinated collaboration represents a “paradigm shift” in the sector.
Also speaking at the forum, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, Managing Director of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), reiterated the state government’s commitment to enforcing environmental laws, including mandatory fumigation requirements. However, he acknowledged enforcement challenges and called for stronger relationships between regulators and the public.
“Our laws are strong, but enforcement requires collective effort,” Ajayi stated. “We started by closing down violators, but now we focus on building relationships for lasting impact.” He encouraged the use of whistle-blowers to report environmental violations and foster compliance.
Other stakeholders at the event commended the initiative, emphasizing the need for residents to respect environmental laws to promote a cleaner and healthier society. They also called for sustained collaboration among regulators, service providers, and the public to drive meaningful progress in pest control and environmental health management.
The forum underscored the importance of aligning regulatory frameworks with modern challenges while fostering private sector growth to support sustainable development in Nigeria’s environmental health sector.
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