A systematic quality evaluation of public participation in Environmental Impact Statements (EIS): Reflecting on practice in Nigeria

Aliyu, Ibrahim; Clark, Andrew; Hardman, Michael

Abstract

Infrastructure development is vital for economic growth but often leads to negative environmental, social, and public health impacts. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), produced during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, is critical in identifying and addressing these impacts. However, public participation in EIA remains limited globally and in Nigeria. This study evaluates how effectively public participation is addressed in 30 EISs from three Nigerian economic sectors between 2005 and 2020. Using a modified Lee and Colley review package with emphasis on participation quality, the study reveals generally low EIS quality across sectors. Major weaknesses were found in Review Area 3 (alternatives and mitigation measures) and Review Area 5 (stakeholder engagement and information disclosure). Road sector projects performed worst in terms of public involvement, and EIS quality has not improved over time, with newer documents reflecting similar deficiencies. Over two-thirds of the EISs failed to align with best practices informed by the EU EIA Directive. The study concludes that significant enhancements are needed, especially in stakeholder engagement, to improve EIA effectiveness. Recommendations are provided to guide improvements in public participation and adherence to international standards, contributing to more transparent and inclusive environmental decision-making.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 9, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Jul 3, 2025
• Publication Date: Jul 3, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jul 7, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 9, 2025
• Journal: Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal
• Print ISSN: 1461-5517
• Electronic ISSN: 1471-5465
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 43
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 229-250
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14615517.2025.2518781