***Says Nigeria generates at least 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually

The Federal Government has unveiled the national environmental (plastic waste control) regulations 2026 to strengthen producer responsibility, improving plastic waste management, promoting resource recovery and advancing the transition to circular plastics economy.

Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal explained that Nigeria generates an estimated 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, and we see its consequences with us, blocked drains, worsening floods, polluted waterways, and contaminated communities.

Lawal said, “Today is not only about unveiling another government document. We are drawing a line. A line between a Nigeria where plastic waste is treated and where every actor in the plastics value chain accepts responsibility for what they produce,import,sell,use or discard.”

The Environment Minister also explained, “use and throw away economy and a circular economy where waste becomes a resource, a livelihood and an opportunity. And, most importantly, it is a line between good intentions and enforceable action.”

According to him,producers, importers and brand owners will be required to register with Producer Responsibility Organisations and participate in the EPR programme. Polluter will pay and there is no longer merely an environmental slogan—it is an instrument of accountability.

“Among other provisions, plastic shopping bags with thicknesses below 80 microns will be regulated. Single-use PET packaging will be required to contain 25 percent food-grade recycled PET by January 2028, rising to 50 percent by January 2030.

Recycling facilities will be required to meet prescribed environmental standards, while the use of banned toxic chemicals in plastic production will constitute a criminal offence.”

Also, the Chairman Governing Board of NESREA, Garba Datti Muhammadu said this occasion mark not simply the unveiling of a regulation, but a renewed collective commitment to a cleaner environment, greater responsibility and a more sustainable Nigeria.

He explained that the Regulations cover the entire plastics value chain, from producers and converters to brand owners, importers, retailers, consumers and waste managers.

“As we seek to reduce avoidable plastic pollution, we must equally pursue practical, innovative and economically sustainable alternatives that reflect Nigeria’s realities ”

Earlier, the Direction General of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency,(NESREA) Prof. Innocent Barikor stated that there is a green economy emerging before us, one capable of creating jobs for our young people, empowering entrepreneurs and informal waste workers, and transforming what was once regarded as waste into wealth.

Barikor explained that the policy framework intends to identify promising pathways and establish a platform through which those solutions can be further developed, tested and piloted.The same principle applies to implementation of the Regulations themselves.

“We have deliberately created space for a Plastic Reboot Roundtable, because before us is not only how we regulate existing practices, but also how we rethink them. In particular, as we confront the environmental challenge associated with single-use sachet water, we must ask a practical question,” he added.

“Effective environmental regulation requires clarity about who is responsible, what is required, how compliance is demonstrated and how performance is measured. The strengthening of the National Producer Registry and the broader EPR implementation architecture is therefore particularly important.

Data should not be viewed merely as an administrative requirement; it is the foundation upon which producer accountability, investment decisions, recovery systems and credible environmental outcomes can be built. We also recognize that implementation will require dialogue.”