By Faridat Salifu
Nigeria is losing billions of dollars in potential revenue as inadequate policies, weak regulation and limited recycling infrastructure continue to hamper the country’s ability to harness the economic value of electronic waste (e-waste), despite generating hundreds of thousands of tonnes of discarded electronic devices every year.
The concern was raised in an editorial published by The Guardian, which said Nigeria generates between 500,000 and over 1.1 million tonnes of e-waste annually but lacks the facilities, investment and institutional framework needed to recover valuable materials and convert them into economic value.
According to the newspaper, discarded mobile phones, household appliances, office equipment, computer batteries and accessories now make up a significant portion of refuse heaps across many Nigerian cities, worsening waste management challenges and degrading the urban environment.
It noted that the country’s e-waste sector is largely dominated by informal scrap dealers who often operate without adequate training, financing, equipment or regulatory oversight, limiting their ability to safely process electronic waste and unlock its commercial potential.
The editorial warned that informal recycling practices, including the burning of plastic components and unsafe dismantling of electronic devices, release hazardous substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium into the environment. These pollutants contaminate air, soil and water while exposing workers and nearby communities, particularly women and children, to serious health risks, including respiratory diseases, organ damage and cancer.
It further stated that the absence of modern recycling plants and an effective regulatory system has resulted in substantial quantities of Nigeria’s e-waste being exported to countries in Asia and Europe, where valuable materials are recovered and converted into finished products.
According to the editorial, this situation enables foreign economies to create jobs, attract investment and generate revenue from resources that could otherwise contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.
Citing industry estimates, The Guardian said the global e-waste recycling market was valued at approximately $77.61 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to more than $279.49 billion by 2033.
It added that if Nigeria were able to capture just five per cent of the global market through strategic investments and effective regulation, the country could earn at least $4.5 billion annually while creating thousands of jobs across the recycling value chain.
The newspaper also attributed the country’s growing e-waste burden to the increasing importation of second-hand electronic products, driven by the high cost of new devices.
Quoting data from the United Nations University, the editorial said more than 60,000 tonnes of used electronics enter Nigerian ports each year, with a significant proportion classified as unusable or “truly junk,” thereby adding to the country’s waste management burden.
It called on the Federal Government to establish a comprehensive policy and regulatory framework for e-waste management, provide incentives for private sector investment in recycling facilities, formalise the informal recycling sector and promote local manufacturing of affordable electronic devices to reduce dependence on imported second-hand products.
The newspaper said strengthening Nigeria’s e-waste management system would not only reduce environmental pollution and public health risks but also unlock new opportunities for economic diversification, job creation and sustainable development.
