The Urgent Need for Enforcing Standards of Service in Nigeria

In recent weeks, the Lagos State Water Corporation (MWID) demolished houses and shops built on waterways—structures that contribute to the devastating flooding plaguing our communities. While this action underscores the importance of enforcing standards, it also raises a pressing question: Why were these structures allowed to exist in the first place?

Nigeria is not short of regulations or standards across industries, from urban planning and environmental protection to health, education, and transportation. What we lack is consistent enforcement. When standards are ignored, lives are disrupted, resources wasted, and opportunities for sustainable development squandered. Whose responsibility is it to ensure compliance? The responsibility for enforcement of standards is clearly stated in the constitution. However with enforcement, the reality doesn’t match the ideals, and those willing to push the limits of the rules (or bend them entirely) and their counterparts in regulatory positions who abuse their power for their own selfish gains are those who get their way. The question is why do we keep seeing the same cycle of negligence and reactionary measures? Poverty,? Lack of penalties? Who knows?

The Mining Sector: A Case in Point

The mining industry in Nigeria has seen significant growth in recent times. To curb speculation and ensure that only serious investors participate, the Federal Government increased the cost of obtaining mining licenses. For instance, the cost to obtain an Exploration Licence (EL) is now ?600,000 for the first 100 cadastral units. Similarly, a Small Scale Mining License (SSML) now costs ?260,000, a Quarry Lease is ?500,000, and firms operating with a Mining Lease are required to pay ?1,250,000.

These measures aim to discourage speculation and address the paucity of funds, limiting the Federal Government’s capacity to improve the ease of doing business in the sector.

However, is increasing license fees an effective strategy to enforce standards and promote genuine investment?

Lessons from Canada

In Canada, the mining industry is regulated through a combination of federal, provincial, and territorial laws. Each province and territory has its own mining legislation and mineral tenure system, ensuring that mining activities are conducted responsibly and sustainably. The federal government also plays a role in regulating specific aspects, such as environmental protection and the export and import of rough diamonds.

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This multi-layered regulatory framework ensures that mining companies adhere to strict standards, promoting transparency, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. The emphasis is on creating a conducive environment for investment while safeguarding public interests.

A Call to Action

Enforcing standards in Nigeria requires a systemic approach:

1. Clarity of Responsibility: Local governments, town planning offices, and state ministries must have well-defined roles and mandates.
2. Community Awareness: Educating citizens about regulations and their role in compliance is critical. A well-informed public can act as watchdogs, holding authorities and businesses accountable.
3. Consistent Monitoring: Regular inspections and audits should become the norm, not the exception.
4. Consequences for Non-Compliance: Penalties should be timely, transparent, and severe enough to deter violations.

Join the Conversation

Every Nigerian, from policymakers to business owners to citizens, has a role to play in raising the bar for service standards. Enforcement is not just about laws—it’s about accountability, responsibility, and the collective will to create a better future. We need to demand more from our leaders, our systems and ourselves. Let’s not wait for disasters to act; let’s prioritize prevention.

How can we ensure standards are enforced consistently across industries?

Is increasing license fees in the mining sector an effective way to weed out speculators, or are there more comprehensive strategies we should consider?

Share your thoughts, experiences, and solutions.

Together, we can build a Nigeria where standards are upheld, not ignored.