By Faridat Salifu
Nigeria commemorated the 2025 World Environment Day on Tuesday at Schatz Parks and Resort, Abuja, with high-level addresses from the Federal Government, ECOWAS Commission, development partners, and civil society calling for urgent, coordinated action to end plastic pollution. This year’s event, themed “Ending Plastic Pollution: Beat the Plastic,” highlighted both national and regional efforts to combat one of the planet’s fastest-growing environmental crises.
The Federal Ministry of Environment, supported by ECOWAS, Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL), UNICEF Nigeria, Oxfam, and RUWES, convened stakeholders, diplomats, environmental advocates, and youth leaders to deliberate on Nigeria’s progress and challenges in curbing plastic waste.
Delivering the keynote address, Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, emphasized the urgency of the plastics crisis, describing it as “not just an environmental issue but also an economic and public health crisis.” He noted that plastic waste continues to choke rivers, endanger wildlife, and intensify urban flooding across the country.
“From sachet water bags littering our streets to microplastics entering our food chain, Nigeria’s plastic waste problem is widespread and escalating,” he said.
Lawal reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda, stating that the Ministry had developed a National Policy on Plastic Waste Management, which outlines strategies to reduce single-use plastics, promote recycling, and drive innovation in sustainable alternatives.
He also spotlighted Nigeria’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme, which mandates producers to manage the lifecycle of their plastic products from production to post-consumer disposal.
“We are supporting circular economy models, especially across MDAs, but this is a fight that cannot be won by government alone,” Lawal said. “It must be a people-oriented movement. We need citizens, industries, and civil society pulling together.”
The Minister extended gratitude to the ECOWAS Commission and development partners for their consistent support, noting that joint regional and global action is necessary to preserve ecosystems and secure the future for generations to come.
In his welcome address, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Adam Kambari, described plastic pollution as “a growing global crisis” that has reached Nigerian streets, riverbanks, and food systems.
“This commemoration is more than symbolism. It is a clarion call to intensify our efforts through effective policy implementation, public awareness, and investment in alternatives,” he said.
Kambari emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to promoting circular economy principles, strengthening regulations, and fostering innovation, adding that tackling plastic waste is central to achieving a resilient, healthier environment.
In a goodwill message, the ECOWAS Commission linked plastic pollution to broader regional challenges, including public health, fisheries collapse, and declining tourism revenues.
“West Africa generates nearly 8 million metric tonnes of plastic waste annually, with over 80% poorly managed,” the Commission said, citing World Bank figures. “If current trends continue, this will increase by 52% within five years.”
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The ECOWAS Commission highlighted its adoption of Regulation C/REG.17/12/23 on plastics management in 2023, which obligates member states to harmonize their policies and adopt best practices. The Commission is also finalizing a Regional Plastics Management Plan, supported by the World Bank.
“Environmental sustainability is a pillar of ECOWAS Vision 2050,” the message continued. “We urge stakeholders to invest in eco-innovation, support community waste solutions, enforce environmental laws, and empower youth. Let us act today not tomorrow.”
Representing the private sector, Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL) used the occasion to announce its flagship PET Bottle Recycling Project in Ogun State, with the capacity to process 2,750 metric tonnes of PET plastics monthly—equivalent to over 100 million bottles.
“Plastic pollution is a daily reality. But amidst this challenge lies opportunity,” said the OCEL representative. “We view plastic not just as waste, but as an economic resource.”
The project is expected to create local jobs, empower micro-entrepreneurs especially women and build circular supply chains.
The company praised the RUWES initiative for mobilizing over 2 million women nationwide to engage in plastic waste collection and climate advocacy. “This is the kind of grassroots innovation we need to scale,” OCEL said.
UNICEF Nigeria called plastic pollution “a children’s crisis and a national crisis,” noting that young Nigerians bear the brunt of environmental degradation.
“Rising temperatures, floods, and droughts are already impacting children’s health, education, and futures,” the UNICEF representative said. “But youth are also our greatest hope.”
UNICEF’s Green Rising initiative, launched at COP28, has already recorded over 100,000 green actions by children in Nigeria, including tree planting, plastic collection, and awareness drives more than half of them led by girls.
UNICEF is also working with the Ministry of Environment to expand youth participation through the YOMA (Youth Agency Marketplace) digital platform and plans to support a National Youth Climate Summit in partnership with the National Council on Climate Change.
“Our mission is to turn youth action into green livelihoods,” UNICEF said. “Every plastic bottle collected counts. Every tree planted matters.
As the 2025 World Environment Day concluded, all voices from government and ECOWAS to private companies and grassroots youth aligned around one message: the fight against plastic pollution must move from awareness to action.
Whether through stronger regulations, inclusive circular economy models, or youth empowerment campaigns, stakeholders agreed that only collective effort can turn the tide.
“Let this day not be just an annual event,” said OCEL. “Let it be the continuation of a movement.”
