By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Government has taken a decisive step toward promoting environmental sustainability and protecting public health with the inauguration of an Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Ban of Single-Use Plastics (SUPs), a move aimed at tackling plastic pollution and reforming waste management practices across Nigeria.
The event, held in Abuja, marks a new phase in Nigeria’s environmental governance framework, aligning with global standards on climate responsibility and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In a statement signed by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Overseeing General Services Office (GSO), Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, said the Federal Government’s decision to ban single-use plastics reflects its determination to reduce pollution and safeguard both human health and the ecosystem.
“The ban of single-use plastics is an initiative that aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to global environmental standards and our collective resolve to reduce plastic pollution, which poses serious threats to public health, ecosystems, and marine life,” he stated.
He recalled that the Federal Executive Council (FEC), at its meeting of Tuesday, 25 June 2024, considered a memorandum presented by the Honourable Minister of Environment, which recommended the ban of single-use plastics nationwide. The Council, he said, approved the ban on products such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, styrofoam, plastic bags, sachet water packaging, and plastic straws, all of which have become major environmental sanitation challenges.
Senator Akume noted that the indiscriminate disposal of these materials has led to significant marine pollution and land degradation, as plastic wastes take several decades to decompose, releasing toxic chemicals harmful to wildlife and humans. He stressed that the ban represents a critical step in addressing the country’s mounting plastic waste crisis and promoting environmental health.
“Plastic pollution remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Its impacts extend from clogged drainages and flooding to the poisoning of water bodies and farmlands. By implementing this ban, Nigeria is joining the global movement to restore ecological balance and safeguard the health of future generations,” he added.
The newly inaugurated Inter-Ministerial Committee comprises representatives from relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) as well as stakeholder organisations across the public and private sectors. The Committee is tasked with coordinating and overseeing the effective implementation of policies and strategies to phase out single-use plastics nationwide.
Among its Terms of Reference, the Committee is mandated to investigate the use and impact of single-use plastics in Nigeria, evaluate the benefits and broader socio-economic implications of the ban, design innovative strategies to promote sustainable alternatives, and strengthen environmental best practices within the national plastic value chain.
The initiative, according to the SGF, underscores Nigeria’s leadership in environmental stewardship and its resolve to meet international climate obligations. He reaffirmed the government’s readiness to engage stakeholders at all levels including manufacturers, environmentalists, and community-based organisations, to ensure a smooth transition to eco-friendly alternatives and a cleaner, safer environment.
With the inauguration of the Inter-Ministerial Committee, Nigeria takes a bold step toward a plastic-free future, reinforcing the government’s agenda on environmental responsibility, circular economy, and sustainable development.
