The Director General of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, Prof. Innocent Barikor has  said emphatically that the National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations, 2026 are not anti-industry, rather, it’s successful implementation will be of great national interest to the people.

Barikor made the assertion when briefing journalists in Abuja, explained that their attention has been drawn to media publications attributed to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) expressing concerns over the National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations.

Represented by Dr.Christopher Beka, Director of Inspection and Enforcement, argued,the objective is not to weaken manufacturing, but to reposition Nigeria’s plastics sector for competitiveness in a world increasingly moving towards circularity, traceability, recycled content, producer responsibility and sustainable packaging.

He declared: Nigeria cannot continue with a plastics system in which products are placed on the market without adequate responsibility for their recovery, recycling or environmentally sound management. We recognize that successful implementation requires partnership with industry.

The Director General further explained that they will invite MAN and all relevant stakeholders to engage constructively in the implementation process. They are pro-environment, pro-resource efficiency, pro-recycling, pro-innovation and pro-sustainable industrial development.

“NESREA remains committed to transparent, evidence-based and consultative implementation of the Regulations in a manner that protects the environment, supports industry transition, creates green jobs and advances Nigeria’s circular economy.”

Similarly, he pointed out that MAN is a major stakeholder in Nigeria’s industrial development and they recognize the important contribution of manufacturers to employment generation, investment, value-chain development, innovation and national economic growth.

“The Agency therefore welcomes constructive engagement from MAN and other stakeholders on the implementation of the Regulations and it is not designed to shut down industries, undermine investments or impose abrupt burdens on manufacturers in Nigeria,” he added.

“However, it has become necessary to provide clear public clarification, as some of the issues raised appear to be based on an inaccurate interpretation of the scope, purpose and implementation approach of the Regulations.”

“Plastic pollution imposes hidden costs on government, communities and businesses through flooding, drainage blockage, public sanitation burdens, environmental degradation, health risks, tourism losses and clean-up costs,” Barikor added.

He stated, “The 80-micron provision in Regulation 26 relates specifically to certain plastic bags made from plastic film. It does not amount to a blanket prohibition on all plastic packaging, nor does it ban all single-use plastic products across the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, agricultural, logistics or manufacturing sectors.”