Nigeria commissions PCB treatment centre to strengthen chemical safety, public health, and environmental governance
By Faridat Salifu
Nigeria has commissioned a Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Treatment Centre to strengthen environmentally sound hazardous waste management, protect public health, and enhance compliance with global environmental conventions.
The commissioning took place on December 18, 2025, at the Sheda Science and Technology Complex in Kwali Area Council, Abuja.
The facility was established by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Environmentally Sound Management and Disposal of PCBs Project. The initiative is supported by the Global Environment Facility and multiple development partners, including the Government of Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, described the centre as a major milestone in Nigeria’s environmental protection journey.
Lawal said the facility demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to environmental sustainability, public health protection, and compliance with national and international obligations.
He warned that hazardous chemicals pose serious risks to human health, biodiversity, and the environment, particularly during handling, storage, and transportation.
The minister stressed that hazardous materials must never be handled without appropriate protective equipment, noting that public trust depends on strict adherence to safety protocols.
Lawal said the centre goes beyond infrastructure delivery and represents a strategic investment that will create green jobs, enhance technical capacity, and strengthen environmental governance.
Delivering the keynote address, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Adam Kambari, said the commissioning marked a defining moment in Nigeria’s environmental governance framework.
Kambari said the facility was established to meet global standards and would strengthen national systems for the treatment, disposal, and monitoring of hazardous chemicals and wastes.
He noted that the project supports Nigeria’s obligations under the Stockholm Convention by addressing persistent organic pollutants that pose long-term environmental and health hazards.
Kambari said the centre would enhance Nigeria’s capacity to identify, assess, and manage hazardous substances while improving public health, reducing environmental risks, and safeguarding ecosystems.
Representing the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare, PROF. MUHAMMAD ALI PATE, CON, the ministry said the facility is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s health security architecture.
Pate said hazardous chemicals are known to cause ecosystem degradation, disrupt neural development, and trigger other serious health outcomes when improperly handled or disposed of.
He said improper chemical management poses significant risks to vulnerable populations, including children, frontline workers, and surrounding communities.
The minister explained that the commissioning strengthens Nigeria’s ability to detect chemical exposure, monitor impacts on human health, and respond rapidly to potential public health emergencies.
He added that recent national technical guidelines on chemical waste treatment can now be effectively implemented through the operational capacity provided by the centre.
Pate said detection and response systems must function together across federal, state, and local levels to ensure that no community is left behind in chemical safety and public health preparedness.
According to him, the facility reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to evidence-based action, environmental safety, and resilient public health systems, while aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 on health, SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production, and SDG 13 on climate action.
In her remarks, UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Gyekyewaa Attafun, described the project as a powerful demonstration of Nigeria’s leadership in environmental sustainability and global compliance under the Stockholm Convention.
Attafun thanked the Global Environment Facility and development partners for their funding, technical support, and strategic guidance, noting that collective international commitment made the project possible.
She said the state-of-the-art centre positions Nigeria as a regional leader in hazardous waste management in West Africa and opens opportunities for job creation, skills development, technology transfer, and industrial compliance with global standards.
Attafun said the facility will reduce future public health burdens, safeguard workforce productivity, and strengthen local waste treatment industries.
She added that the centre will serve as a national hub for innovation, capacity building, and technical expertise in chemical and hazardous waste management.
The UNDP representative reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in ensuring the facility operates optimally and delivers a lasting impact.
Stakeholders at the event described the commissioning as a major step toward a safer, cleaner, and more resilient Nigeria. They emphasised that the facility will not only improve public health and environmental protection but also strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to comply with international environmental agreements and respond to chemical emergencies.
