Health
Joint action required to turn plastic waste into wealth, say stakeholders
Angela Onwuzoo
To address plastic waste pollution in Nigeria and Africa through local innovation and collaborative approaches, stakeholders have called for urgent action, stronger partnerships, and innovative strategies to turn plastic waste into wealth and job creation.
They said that with practical outcomes, stronger partnerships, and a clear national roadmap with measurable targets and accountability mechanisms, plastic waste could create significant economic opportunities and support a circular plastics economy driven by innovation and creativity.
The stakeholders made the call at the National Plastic Summit 2026 in Abuja on Thursday, where they also urged stronger investment in tackling plastic pollution across Africa and called on manufacturers to take greater responsibility in addressing the challenge.
The summit, themed “Innovation, Inclusion and Investment for a Circular Plastics Economy in Africa,” was convened by the Nigeria National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP Nigeria) and hosted by the Policy Innovation Centre, with support from the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) of the World Economic Forum.
The event brought together innovators, manufacturers, private sector leaders, academics, government officials, youth groups, civil society organisations, and development partners focused on environmental sustainability.
Participants exchanged ideas on practical approaches to reducing plastic waste pollution in Nigeria and across Africa.
Declaring the summit open, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said Nigeria has the capacity, innovation, and human resources needed to transform plastic waste challenges into opportunities.
He noted that plastic pollution is not only an environmental issue but also a development challenge requiring investment and stronger collaboration.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Salihu Usman, the minister highlighted the growing threat of plastic pollution from the Niger Delta mangroves to the northern savannahs and coastal communities.
“Nigeria generates over 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with a significant portion ending up in rivers, oceans, farmlands, and streets. Lagos alone produces thousands of tonnes of plastic waste every day,” he said.
He warned that single-use plastics such as bags, bottles, straws, and sachets have become widespread, contributing to blocked drainage systems, flooding, marine pollution, and public health risks.
The minister also noted that plastic pollution carries high economic costs, including lost productivity, healthcare expenses, and environmental cleanup, describing it as one of the most pressing environmental and public health challenges of the time.
He called for a shift from awareness to action, stressing the need to build a sustainable plastic economy that promotes responsible production and consumption, strengthens recycling systems, and advances a circular economy where waste is treated as a resource.
Lawal urged stakeholders to strengthen policy implementation, noting that several states have already taken steps to address single-use plastics.
“At the national level, we need stronger coordination, effective monitoring, and full implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Producers and importers must be held accountable for the lifecycle of the products they introduce into the market,” he said.
He also called for investment in innovation and infrastructure, noting that Nigerian entrepreneurs are already developing alternatives using local materials such as cassava, rice husks, and plantain peels.
According to him, more recycling facilities, material recovery plants, and waste-to-wealth initiatives are needed nationwide, alongside stronger public-private partnerships.
He further urged behavioural change, stressing that environmental education in schools and communities is essential for success.
“No policy can succeed without public buy-in,” he said, adding that markets, religious institutions, youth groups, and community organisations must all be involved in promoting recycling and waste reduction.
He also emphasised the role of technology and data-driven solutions in improving waste tracking, recycling systems, and responsible disposal.
In her opening remarks, the Executive Director of the Policy Innovation Centre, Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu, said the summit aimed to drive solutions that make the world safer and more sustainable.
She noted that behavioural change is central to addressing plastic waste challenges.
“We need a centre-stakeholder focus. This is an opportunity to think about how the circular value chain can support enterprise growth, job creation, and inclusive participation,” she said.
Dirisu added that plastic waste should be viewed as a development issue with the potential to address broader economic and social challenges, including unemployment.
She also stressed that the summit provides a platform to align policy discussions and promote a just and green transition.
In a goodwill message, the Head of Regional Strategy and Community at the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP), Roisin Greene, commended Nigeria’s progress under the National Plastic Action Partnership framework.
She said the focus should now shift from planning to implementation.
“How do we translate roadmaps into policies, projects, and investment opportunities?” she asked.
Also speaking, the Director General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Innocent Barikor, described plastic pollution as one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time.
He called for coordinated and urgent action, noting its impact on biodiversity, ecosystems, public health, and productivity.
The Managing Director of Dow West Africa and Co-Chair of NPAP Nigeria, Adebisi Adeoti, reaffirmed the private sector’s commitment to addressing plastic pollution.
He said innovation, investment, and collaboration are critical to building a circular plastic economy that supports industrial competitiveness and inclusive development.
Adeoti added that stronger collaboration across policymakers, regulators, producers, recyclers, investors, and consumers is essential to unlock new markets, create jobs, and drive innovation.
The summit climaxed with the inauguration of the Finance Taskforce for Plastic Action in Nigeria, established to mobilise investment and accelerate financing for circular plastics, recycling infrastructure, and sustainable waste management.
NPAP Nigeria, through the Policy Innovation Centre, is also developing the Nigeria Plastic Action Financing Roadmap in partnership with PwC as technical consultant.
The roadmap will map current financing flows, identify priority investment opportunities, highlight de-risking mechanisms to attract private capital, and propose actionable financing instruments and policy recommendations for government and private sector adoption.
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