Montreal protocol action: Nigeria phases out harmful gas, adopts climate-friendly agents
By Abbas Nazil
Nigeria has officially phased out the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbon-141b (HCFC-141b), a harmful chemical widely used in foam production, as the country embraces more climate-friendly alternatives in line with international environmental commitments.
The milestone was marked in Lagos with the commissioning of the Optimized House, a landmark project developed under Nigeria’s Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) Phase-out Management Plan in accordance with the Montreal Protocol.
Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said the new facility was built through collaboration between the National Ozone Office and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to facilitate the transition from HCFC-141b to ozone- and climate-friendly blowing agents in the production of rigid polyurethane foam.
According to him, the project includes the relocation and upgrade of Vitapur’s laboratory with advanced analytical equipment, the installation of new blending tanks to boost capacity, and the complete elimination of HCFC-141b in sandwich panel, spray, and block systems.
Vitapur’s Executive Director, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi, explained that the facility will enable trials, testing, and training with low-global warming potential (GWP) agents, strengthen local production, and reduce dependence on imports.
He stressed that the initiative will also create jobs, promote technology transfer, and contribute to achieving Nigeria’s sustainable development goals.
UNDP’s Representative, Mrs. Elsie Attafuah, urged stakeholders to make optimal use of the facility, while the event ended with the signing of an agreement and the handover of certificates to industry participants.
Director of Pollution Control, Engr. Bahijjahtu Abubakar, commended indigenous manufacturers for supporting the shift to environmentally friendly technologies.
