By Abdullahi Lukman
The Federal Government has partnered with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic water sachets in Nigeria, as part of efforts to address the country’s growing plastic pollution challenge.
The Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Innocent Barikor, disclosed this on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at the inception meeting of the GEF Child Project 11193, titled Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution in Nigeria, held in Abuja.
Barikor said the project aims to significantly reduce the use of plastic sachet water while ensuring continued access to safe and affordable drinking water for Nigerians.
He described the initiative as a major milestone in the country’s environmental sustainability drive.
He noted that Nigeria consumes over 2.5 billion litres of sachet water annually, produced by more than 32,000 manufacturers, adding that while sachet water has helped close gaps in water access, it has also contributed to blocked drainage systems, flooding, ecosystem degradation and public health risks.
According to him, the project represents a strategic intervention aligned with national environmental priorities and NESREA’s mandate to safeguard the environment for present and future generations.
In a goodwill message, GEF representative Evelyn Swain said the organisation was proud to support Nigeria in reducing single-use plastic consumption, describing the country as a key participant whose experience could help shape global solutions to plastic pollution.
She was represented at the meeting by Anna Blanpain, Senior Environmental Specialist and Plastic Reboot Coordinator at the GEF Secretariat.
Also speaking, UNEP representative Isabella Vanderbeck highlighted Nigeria’s importance in global efforts to combat plastic pollution, urging decisive action that could position the country as a model for others.
Meanwhile, the Chief Scientific Officer at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mrs. Zuliat Mohammed, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to collaborating with NESREA to ensure the success of the project, noting that the programme would contribute to eliminating single-use plastic products from Nigeria’s environment.