Manufacturers warn plastic rules threaten jobs, economic growth

…calls for suspension of the ban pending a comprehensive Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA)

Nigeria’s manufacturers are pushing back against proposed regulations aimed at curbing plastic waste, warning that the measures could threaten thousands of jobs and undermine economic growth.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has expressed deep concern over the National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations 2026, which would prohibit single-use plastics below 80 microns in thickness and impose taxes on certain shopping bags.

The proposed rules, enforced by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), could significantly disrupt industrial production and investments in the plastics value chain, MAN said.

The association argues that the regulations lack sufficient empirical justification and pose significant risks to Nigeria’s economy, industrial sector, and employment landscape. MAN is urging caution, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that addresses environmental concerns without harming the economy.

The association’s stance highlights the challenges of balancing environmental sustainability with economic growth in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.

“Nigeria’s plastic manufacturing industry remains one of the country’s largest and most significant light manufacturing sectors, supporting hundreds of manufacturing facilities, thousands of small and medium enterprises, and an extensive value chain,” said Segun Ajayi-Kadir, director general, MAN.

Kadir warned that the implementation of the proposed regulations could lead to substantial changes in manufacturing processes, increased production costs, and reduced competitiveness, ultimately exposing manufacturers to capital losses.

He also noted that the consequences would extend beyond manufacturers, with increased costs likely to be passed on to consumers, and small businesses facing additional operational costs that could threaten their sustainability.

MAN is urging the government to suspend the implementation of the proposed ban pending a comprehensive Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) and to conduct an independent assessment of the environmental, economic, and social implications of the proposed regulation.

The association is also calling for the strengthening of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework and investments in recycling and collection infrastructure.

“Effective regulation should strike a balance between environmental protection and economic development,” Kadir said. “The Association remains committed to working collaboratively with government and all stakeholders to advance practical, science-based, and economically sustainable solutions to plastic waste management in Nigeria.”

NNPAP plastic circularity roadmap
The association notes that the Federal Government, through the National Plastic Action Partnership (NNPAP), developed a comprehensive Plastic Circularity Roadmap in 2024 in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment.

The roadmap provided a strategic framework for achieving plastic waste reduction through enhanced collection systems, recycling infrastructure, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), circular economy initiatives, public awareness campaigns, and investments in waste management.

Unfortunately, many of the critical recommendations contained in that roadmap are yet to be fully implemented, MAN said in a statement.

“It is therefore difficult to understand why the government is proceeding with a new prohibition regime without first evaluating the effectiveness of existing measures and implementing the agreed roadmap designed specifically to address plastic pollution in a sustainable and inclusive manner,” Kadir said.

“More importantly, there has been no publicly available assessment of the impact of previously restricted single-use plastic products in Nigeria,” he added.

According to him, there is no evidence showing the extent to which earlier bans have reduced environmental pollution, improved waste collection rates, enhanced recycling performance, or changed consumer behavior.

“Public policy should be driven by evidence, measurable outcomes, and stakeholder consultation rather than assumptions.”

Citing Kenya and Bangladesh plastic experience, he noted that it shows that banning thin plastic bags and other thin plastic products without adequate recycling infrastructure rarely delivers the intended environmental outcomes.