By Abdullahi Lukman
Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria) has strongly criticized Nigeria’s decision to allow the importation of “non-hazardous” waste from the European Union (EU), calling the move “deeply troubling” given the country’s existing waste management struggles.
The research group warns that Nigeria lacks the infrastructure, regulatory enforcement, and budgetary capacity to properly manage its own waste, let alone additional imports.
With overflowing dumpsites and increasing pollution in water bodies, SRADev argues that this decision could worsen public health and environmental challenges.
According to SRADev Nigeria’s latest findings, Nigeria has agreed to receive certain non-hazardous waste categories—including Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), paper waste, textile waste, rags, and fly ash—under Article 42 of the EU Regulation 2024/1157, which governs waste shipments from the EU after May 21, 2027.
However, Dr. Leslie Adogame, Executive Director of SRADev Nigeria, strongly opposes this move, stating that it reflects poor governance and a lack of environmental foresight.
“This is unacceptable,” Adogame said. “Nigeria is already battling a severe solid waste crisis.
“Instead of focusing on managing our existing waste, we are now opening our doors to foreign waste under the guise of it being ‘non-hazardous.’” he lamented.
Adogame queried: “If it is truly harmless, why is it being traded to less developed nations?”
SRADev Nigeria also raised concerns about Nigeria’s failure to ratify key international agreements like the Bamako Convention and the Basel Convention’s BAN Amendment, which prohibit the importation of hazardous waste into Africa.
Without the ability to properly classify waste imports, the group warns that toxic or hazardous materials could enter Nigeria under misleading classifications.
Jeremiah Ato, Policy and Technical Officer at SRADev Nigeria, described the situation as “waste colonialism,” where wealthier nations shift their waste burden to countries with weaker regulatory frameworks.
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He urged both the Nigerian government and the EU to be fully transparent about the agreement and prioritize public health and environmental sustainability over economic interests.
The decision to accept EU waste comes at a critical time, as Nigeria prepares to participate in the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Regional Meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, from March 18-20, 2025.
The meeting is expected to bring together 54 African nations to discuss waste trade regulations, including controls on plastic waste (Y-48) and Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF).
Dr. Adogame warned that Nigeria’s move could undermine its credibility in global waste management discussions.
“Y-48 plastics require strict regulatory measures due to environmental risks, and RDF, while marketed as an alternative energy source, has serious pollution concerns.
“If Nigeria is already struggling with waste management, how can we ensure the safe handling of imported waste like RDF?” he queried.
SRADev Nigeria argues that the waste importation policy contradicts Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, which focus on reducing emissions through improved waste management and circular economy practices.
By accepting foreign waste, the country risks increasing its carbon footprint and undermining its climate commitments.
To address these concerns, SRADev Nigeria is calling for an urgent review of the decision by the National Chemicals Management Committee (NCMC).
The group urges a national stakeholder meeting involving government agencies, civil society organizations, environmental experts, and industry stakeholders to assess the implications and ensure policy alignment with Nigeria’s international commitments.
SRADev is also urging the EU to act responsibly by ensuring that its waste export policies, under Article 41 of Regulation 2024/1157, do not burden developing nations with waste management challenges.
“Nigeria must take a firm stance against hazardous and unchecked waste trade,” Adogame said. “The health and environmental well-being of over 200 million Nigerians should take precedence over economic or trade considerations.”
