•Single-use plastics
The federal government has inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee to drive the implementation of the nationwide ban on single-use plastics (SUPs), signalling a major shift in Nigeria’s environmental management policy and its commitment to global sustainability standards.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, represented by the Permanent Secretary overseeing the General Services Office, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, performed the inauguration in Abuja, reports The Nation.
According to a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the OSGF, Segun Imohiosen, Akume said the decision reflects the government’s resolve to confront the rising health and environmental threats caused by indiscriminate use and disposal of plastic products.
Akume explained that the policy followed a Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval granted on June 25, 2024, based on a memorandum presented by the Minister of Environment.
The FEC endorsed the ban on polyethene terephthalate (PET) bottles, styrofoam, plastic bags, sachet water, and straws — items he described as major contributors to environmental sanitation challenges nationwide.
“The inappropriate disposal of plastic materials is a major cause of marine pollution as well as land degradation. Plastic wastes take a longer time to decompose both on land and in water, and therefore pose a serious threat to wildlife and public health due to toxic chemicals,” the SGF said.
He added that the ban aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to global environmental standards and its obligations under international conventions aimed at combating pollution, preserving ecosystems, and protecting marine life.
The newly inaugurated committee comprises representatives of key ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), as well as stakeholder organisations.
It is tasked with coordinating and overseeing the implementation of policies and strategies to phase out single-use plastics across the country.
Its Terms of Reference include investigating issues associated with SUPs, evaluating the benefits and wider implications of the ban, and designing practical approaches to promote best environmental practices within the plastic value chain.
The administration said the measure underscores Nigeria’s leadership role in environmental stewardship and reinforces its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to responsible consumption, life below water, and climate action.
