The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has bestowed a prestigious professorship on Innocent Barikor, the Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
Barikor, now a Professor of Political Economy and Development Studies, was among 46 academic staff elevated in the university’s latest round of promotions.
Announcing the development on Wednesday, UNIPORT’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Onwunari Georgewill, said the promotions were approved at the university’s 187th Governing Council meeting, chaired by Pro-Chancellor Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa.
He revealed that 30 scholars advanced to full professor status, while 16 others were promoted to associate professor following a rigorous assessment process.
Since assuming leadership at NESREA in May 2024, Barikor has championed groundbreaking environmental initiatives, spearheading regulatory reforms in waste management, industrial decarbonization, and endangered species protection. Under his watch, the agency has shut down 96 facilities for environmental violations and launched major programs such as the National Industrial Decarbonisation Programme (NIDP).
His leadership has also attracted global partnerships, with support from the European Union, UN agencies, and governments of Germany and Japan.
With this new academic honor, Barikor solidifies his influence in both environmental governance and academia, reinforcing his commitment to sustainable development in Nigeria and beyond.
