Think of a country where waste ceases to be a problem but becomes a strong resource driving industries, creating employment, and contributing significantly to the economy. Now consider this: Nigeria produces 32 million tons of solid waste yearly; this is enough to build a tower higher than Mount Kilimanjaro, if stacked. Yet, over 80 percent of this lies neglected, clogging waterways, polluting communities, and burying billions of naira in untapped potential. Lagos alone churns out over 13,000 metric tons daily, which, if well harnessed, will go a long way to create massive economic opportunities. The global forecast is that circular economies will unlock $4.5 trillion by 2030, but Nigeria is in danger of being left behind. Faced with increasing unemployment, diminishing natural resources, and environmental degradation, it is not a question of whether we can afford to transition into a circular economy but whether we can afford not to.
The current economy model
The Nigerian economy, still in the “take-make-dispose” mode, is gradually becoming unsustainable with rapid urbanization and a population of over 200 million people. Waste generation is growing at an alarming rate amidst struggling, underdeveloped waste management systems. On the other hand, a great deal of waste collection and recycling emanate from the informal sector, which operates in silos, not coordinated by formal structures. It is this lack of integration that fuels inefficiency, apart from wasting immense opportunities for economic value creation, job creation, and more sustainability.
The case for a circular economy framework
The transition to a circular economy presents Nigeria with multiple opportunities. According to the World Economic Forum, circular economy activities could generate $4.5 trillion in economic benefits globally by 2030. For Nigeria, this transition could create an estimated 3 million new jobs in recycling, remanufacturing, and service sectors by 2030.
Countries like the Netherlands and China provide compelling examples of how adopting a circular economy drives economic growth, creates jobs, and curbs environmental challenges. The Netherlands, for example, has firmly established itself as one of the leading countries in circular innovation. With programs such as the “Green Deals,” the country encourages collaboration between businesses and the government to eliminate regulatory barriers and foster circular solutions. The Dutch target is to become fully circular by 2050, focusing on resource efficiency in industries such as construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. These efforts will contribute an estimated 7 percent growth in GDP by 2030 and show promising potential for economic success driven by sustainability.
China, by contrast, has integrated the principles of a circular economy into its national development plan. The strategy started off with industrial symbiosis, whereby waste from one enterprise becomes input for another, thus streamlining material waste and saving on production costs. This has evolved through eco-design, resource efficiency, and extended producer responsibility, among other concepts, over time. The revised Circular Economy Promotion Law in 2017 indicates China’s commitment to resource conservation and environmental improvement.
Beyond economic opportunities, a circular economy framework would solve most of the significant environmental issues. According to +IQAir, in 2023, Nigeria’s air PM2.5 concentration reached 4.8 times above the annual value set by the WHO, ranking as the 35th country in the worst air quality rankings in the world. We could reduce up to 50 percent of pollution related to waste by applying circular principles, besides saving those valuable resources.
It is befitting to appreciate that the Nigerian government, through agencies like NESREA and the Federal Ministry of Environment, has taken positive steps toward waste management principles and the circular economy. The National Environmental Action Plan and recent policies on waste management reveal a slowly dawning understanding of the need for systemic change.
These are indeed commendable, but there is a need for an increasingly intentional and holistic application. This piece is not meant to belittle such efforts but to offer a strategic direction that can aid in amplifying and accelerating the transition. The framework I propose builds upon the foundation laid by current government initiatives, offering a more holistic, technology-driven approach that can be rapidly scaled and adapted to Nigeria’s unique economic and environmental landscape.
Read also: Circular economy and the just transition: Nigeria
Key components of the framework
Policy and regulatory foundation
A holistic policy and regulatory framework is essential to drive the transition to a circular economy in Nigeria. This should begin with the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs, which make manufacturers responsible for the end-of-life management of their products. Additionally, tax incentives can be provided to companies adopting circular business models, such as remanufacturing, leasing, and product-service systems. Mandatory recycling targets for key sectors like packaging, electronics, and construction will create market demand for secondary materials. Finally, developing national standards for recycled content in manufacturing will stimulate the supply of high-quality recyclables.
Infrastructure development
One important pillar in the circular economy framework would involve infrastructure building. This includes modern waste sorting facilities to segregate materials at source, material recovery facilities to process and beneficiate recyclables, and reverse logistics networks to channel waste streams back into productive use. Digitalization will play a key role, with tracking systems powered by sensors and blockchain technology to monitor material flows. Demonstration of the viability of these technological interventions through pilot projects in major cities would subsequently act as a model for nationwide scale-up.
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About the author:
Jimmy Arikawe is a circular economy expert with years of experience in Nigeria’s recycling sector, specialising in technology-driven solutions for sustainable resource management. He is the CTO of Circula, a clean-tech company dedicated to fostering a circular economy across Africa.
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