By Obiabin Onukwugha
The federal government has slammed a ban on the siting of mineral processing plants within restricted and residential areas across the country.
The government also approved a legal mandate compelling plastic manufacturers and bottling companies to assume full responsibility for the waste generated by their products nationwide.
This is contained in a communique issued at the end of the 18th National Council on Environment (NCE) meeting, which held between December 15 to 17, 2025 in Katsina State.
The Council, which is Nigeria’s highest advisory body on environmental matters, also approved the mandatory adoption of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework.
Chaired by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, the Council also approved the bans after reviewing environmental risks associated with mining activities, plastic pollution and public health hazards across the country.
The communique noted that following persistent reports of lead poisoning and environmental degradation, particularly in the North and North-Central regions, the meeting approved strict zoning restrictions.
“Consequently, a total ban has been placed on the operation of mineral processing companies within residential areas in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” the communique read.
It stated that the Council mandated the immediate substitution of mercury and cyanide in gold extraction with safer alternatives to protect human and animal life.
The Council also approved the introduction of public health screening for mining host communities and made “Livelihood Restoration Plans” a mandatory requirement before any mine closure activities can commence and empowered sub-national governments to take a more active role in environmental regulation.
“For the first time, all 36 states are mandated to establish Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) departments within their respective ministries.
While the authority to issue final EIA certificates remains with the Federal Ministry to ensure uniform national standards, the move allows states to lead primary assessments and surveillance of industrial activities.
”Beyond mining and plastics, the Council reached several critical technical resolutions. On climate action, it approved the integration of Climate Change Assessments into all EIA processes, with specific emphasis on the Niger Delta region,” the communique further read.
It added that to curb deforestation, the Council directed the training of rural women and youth in the production of briquettes as an alternative to firewood.
It also approved the establishment of Faecal Sludge Management Plants in all states to meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 targets on sanitation, as well as a new National Framework for the sound management of used tyres.