1.2 | This Project and its Aims1.3 | Engagement and AnalysisBased on its’ presence in the Nigerian EIA marketand previous activity with the FMEnv on digitalEIA, Willend elected to fund a catalyst researchproject to identify opportunities for the adoptionof digital approaches in Nigerian ESIA. Theresearch funding has been supported from theUK’s Department for International Trade (DIT).As a snapshot study, the research couldnot seek to hold face to face workshops andconduct broad scale engagement acrossNigerian EIA practice. As such, it focussed onengagement with the FMEnv and opportunitiesassociated with both the way the legislative EIAsystem operates and the existing progress inadopting digital technology by environmentalconsultants employed by developers.To facilitate the study, Willend securedagreement from the Nigerian Government’sMinister of Environment that the FMEnv’sEnvironmental Assessment Department wouldactively engage in the research. With thiskeystone organisation’s involvement secured,Willend was able to utilize it strong professionalnetwork in Nigerian practice, to link other coreEIA stakeholders into the research, including:- National Oil Spill Detection andResponse Agency (NOSDRA)- Leading Academics and EIA consultants,who also have experience as expert panelmembers for FMEnv EIA project review.Willend commissioned the author of The GlobalState of Digital IA Practice (IAIA, 2021) - FothergillTraining & Consulting Ltd’s Founder Josh Fothergill– to lead its’ study into the potential for uptakeof digital approaches across Nigerian EIA.Engagement was conducted between August andDecember 2022, through the use of email andweb-based survey and information exchange,followed up with targeted online meetings andfacilitated discussions that sought to explore:- Current use of digital technologiesin the EIA process,- FMEnv ambitions related to futureapplication of digital approaches in thedelivery of EIA and related environmentaldata (baseline and monitoring)- Challenges likely to be faced in the uptakeand adoption of Digital EIA, and- Defining the opportunities for action that wouldbe needed to catalyse Nigeria to be a leader indigital EIA both in Africa and across the globe.The aim of this catalyst research projectis to provide a snapshot review of:- The current status and uptake of digitalapproaches in Nigerian EIA, and- Identify opportunities for making Nigerian EIApractice more effective through increaseduse of digital approaches and technology.6Willend Associates and FothergillTC Ltd – Research: Enabling Digital EIA in Nigeria
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