The United Nations (UN) has issued a strong call to urgently address plastic pollution in Nigeria, stating that the scale of the issue is alarming, affecting both urban and rural areas.
At the 50th Environment Day celebration organized by the UN and Green Hub Africa in Abuja, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mathias Schmale, emphasized that Nigeria consumes over 1.5 million metric tons of plastic annually, one of the highest rates in Africa.
At the event themed: “Solution to Plastic Pollution”, Schmale encouraged individuals to take action by making sustainable choices in their daily lives.
He said by reusing, recycling, redirecting, and diversifying away from plastics, everyone can contribute to beating plastic pollution. A greener Nigeria and a healthier planet are essential for a prosperous and peaceful future.
He expressed concern over the extensive use of single-use plastics, highlighting that Lagos alone utilizes 10 million plastic bags per day.
He pointed out that waste management continues to be a challenge throughout the country, with a significant amount of plastic waste ending up in open dumps, landfills, water bodies, drainage systems, and coastal areas; only 10% of plastic is currently being recycled, according to the Federal Ministry of the Environment.
According to him, in order to achieve the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), immediate action is required to tackle plastic pollution in Nigeria.
Referencing a new report by the UN Environment Programme, Schmale asserted that it is possible to reduce plastic pollution by 80% by 2040.
However, he emphasized the need for collaborative efforts involving the government, private sector, civil society organizations, and international partners to enhance policy implementation, promote a circular economy, and decrease plastic usage.
He said innovative solutions and new technologies are essential in effectively combating plastic pollution in Nigeria, necessitating research and development to establish sustainable approaches and alternatives to single-use plastics.
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In addition, raising awareness among the general public about the impacts of plastic pollution is crucial. Schmale stressed the significance of education campaigns, clean-up drives, and recycling initiatives to foster a society that practices responsible consumption and waste management.
While representing the UN, Mohamed Yahya, the UNDP Representative in Nigeria, assured that the organization would continue working with its partners in Nigeria to address plastic pollution.
“UNIDO has been supporting the government in advancing its waste management policy, and UNEP is involved in the “Circular and POPs-free Plastics in Africa” project, which aims to reduce persistent organic pollutants in the plastics value chain.
“The UN commended the Government of Nigeria for actively participating in the ongoing Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee meetings for the development of a global plastic convention. The UN expressed readiness to provide technical expertise, capacity building, and financial aid to combat this pollution and other plastic-related issues, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the UN and the new administration.”Yahaya said.
During a keynote speech, Professor Obas Ebohon, Chairman of GreenHubAfrica, emphasized the necessity of establishing a viable secondary market for plastic to combat pollution.
According to Professor Ebohon, the solution lies with the people themselves, as they are the ones responsible for the production, usage, and irresponsible disposal of plastic.
He suggested that if the government could facilitate the development of recycling businesses by providing the necessary infrastructure, individuals would be able to collect, sort, recycle, and sell plastic.
“If this process becomes profitable, it would raise awareness among a large number of people about the benefits of recycling.
“The government should also implement additional measures to reconsider the design and use of plastic.”
Professor Ebohon emphasized the importance of finding a mechanism that encourages individuals to hold onto plastic for longer periods, reuse it, and recycle it multiple times.
Henry Bassey, the Chief Executive Officer/Founder of GreenHubAfrica, explained that their organization is a non-governmental entity focused on promoting environmental sustainability through education, edutainment, and advocacy using various media platforms and programs. Their aim is to raise awareness and provoke a mindset shift towards climate action for a healthier and sustainable Africa.
