Nigeria moves to align policy, finance on plastic waste management

Nigeria is moving to align policy and finance to address plastic waste, as the Nigeria National Plastic Action Partnership and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization advance the national plastic waste management policy and its implementation guidelines at Circular Economy Week.

At a policy dialogue, officials and sector leaders examined how to turn the national plastic policy into action across states and local governments. The event focused on closing the gap between policy design and project financing for collection, recycling and reduction of single-use plastics.

Esther Fagbo, Manager of the Nigeria National Plastic Action Partnership, said the country must move from discussion to execution. She told participants that the aim is to “bridge that gap between policymakers and investors so that compliance becomes possible for both small firms and large companies.”

She noted that the transition to a circular plastics economy must become “an economic imperative that supports jobs, waste recovery and resource use”. According to her, dialogue should lead to steps that can be tracked and measured over time.

Representing the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Kitan Oluwagbuyi presented the implementation guidelines for the national policy on plastic waste management. She said the policy seeks to improve collection and disposal systems and to address single-use plastics through clear steps for state governments.

She explained that the guidelines promote the waste hierarchy, movement away from open dump sites, and the creation of state waste management plans with targets set for each decade. “If there is no state waste management plan and target every decade, it’s like we’re working in a vacuum,” she said.

Oluwagbuyi highlighted that Nigeria has more than 1,000 dump sites and must shift towards controlled systems and recycling pathways. She stressed the need for data on waste composition, collection efficiency and existing services, noting that investors rely on reliable information before committing funds.

She said the guidelines outline six steps: service and policy review, planning, design, evaluation, implementation and monitoring. These steps are meant to guide state authorities in designing facilities, setting targets and assessing performance over time.

During the panel session, Benneth Obinna Obasiohia, founder and chief executive of Bohia Environmental Services, said one major disconnect lies in the weak link between policy and local implementation. He noted that many policies do not reach communities or align with local government structures that manage waste services on the ground.

On financing, Baptiste Roubad, international policy officer at Citeo, said policy must be linked to predictable funding streams. He explained that Extended Producer Responsibility should be seen not only as a regulation but as a market tool that creates steady revenue and investor confidence for recycling infrastructure and secondary raw materials markets.

Sunday Sholanke, entrepreneur and recycling advocate, added that circular economy businesses require long-term financing support to scale. He called for dedicated funds and market protection measures that allow local firms to compete and expand collection and recycling capacity.

Panellists also stressed transparency in the use of EPR funds to ensure trust from investors and regulators. They said clarity on fee collection and allocation would help attract long-term private capital into plastic waste management projects.

Discussions further focused on the role of informal waste collectors, who handle most plastic waste collection in Nigeria. Speakers called for their registration, training and financial support, including access to equipment and occupational safety measures funded through EPR schemes.

Participants emphasised the importance of cooperation between federal, state and local authorities. They said local governments hold data on waste generation and collection routes, and should be empowered to implement national targets at the community level.

The policy also addresses single-use plastics through a mix of bans, incentives for alternatives, public procurement rules and consumer awareness campaigns. States were encouraged to adopt green procurement by reducing single-use plastics in government offices and services.

Speakers concluded that the national plastic policy provides a vision, but real impact depends on coordinated planning, reliable data and sustained financing. They called for consistent enforcement and clear institutional roles to ensure that policy commitments translate into waste reduction, recycling growth and improved environmental management across Nigeria.