World Environment Day: FG Calls for Collective Effort to Combat Plastic Pollution

World Environment Day: FG Calls for Collective Effort to Combat Plastic Pollution

In a bid to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient nation, the Federal Government is calling for collective and individual action to tackle plastic pollution

The Honourable Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, made the call at the 2025 World Environment Day Celebration in Abuja. He emphasized that plastic pollution is a multifaceted crisis, affecting not only the environment but also the economy and public health.

Highlighting the severity of the issue, Minister Lawal noted that “every minute, plastic waste is being dumped into our oceans, rivers, and drainage systems, endangering wildlife and contributing to flooding in our urban centres.” This stark reality, he stressed, necessitates immediate collective action to mitigate its impact on the society

According to him, this year’s theme, “Ending Plastic Pollution,” underscores the global urgency of the issue, which Nigeria is grappling with alongside other nations. The country faces significant challenges in managing plastic waste, making the theme particularly relevant.

He reiterated the present administration’s commitment, through its Renewed Hope Agenda, to tackling plastic pollution at all levels.

To achieve this, the Federal Ministry of Environment has developed and is implementing a National Policy on Plastic Waste Management. “This policy provides a strategic framework for reducing plastic use, promoting recycling, and encouraging innovation in alternatives to single-use plastics, the Minister explained.

Lawal also announced the launch of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme, which requires producers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their plastic products—from production to disposal. The initiative, he stated, aims to hold manufacturers accountable for the waste generated by their products.

He added that to ensure effective implementation, the Ministry is collaborating with key stakeholders across government, industry, and civil society.

“We are supporting innovative circular economy models to drive recycling and promote plastic alternatives, especially across government ministries, departments, and agencies.” Lawal stressed

The Minister commended the Ministry’s development partners, particularly the ECOWAS Commission, for their steadfast support in environmental governance, climate change response, and sustainable development in West Africa.

He emphasized that the fight against plastic pollution must be people-driven, stressing that “this is a fight for the preservation of our ecosystems, the future of our children, and the survival of our dear planet.”

In his concluding remarks, Minister Lawal urged everyone to reflect on their role in ending environmental degradation, especially plastic pollution. “Let us make conscious choices and become ambassadors of environmental stewardship,” he said, calling for collective action to combat the devastating effects of environmental pollution.

In a welcome address, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Adam Kambari, stated that this year’s celebration serves as a clarion call to intensify efforts through effective policy implementation, public awareness campaigns, responsible consumption, and investments in sustainable alternatives.

“As a Ministry, we remain committed to:
advancing circular economy principles,
strengthening regulatory frameworks, and
promoting innovations that reduce our reliance on single-use plastic,” he said

While thanking the Ministry’s partners, stakeholders, stakeholders, and environmental advocates for their tireless efforts against environmental degradation in the country, Kambari emphasized, “I urge everyone to reflect on what more we can do individually and collectively, to beat plastic pollution”

In a goodwill message on behalf of the ECOWAS Commission, the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Massandje Toure-Litse, noted that plastic pollution is not only a global menace but also a regional and national crisis.

Represented by the Acting Director, Environment and Natural Resources, Yao Bernard Koffi, he stated that World Bank data recently revealed that West Africa produces nearly eight million metric tons of plastic waste annually, with over 80 percent of it being poorly managed posing dire consequences to human health, marine ecosystems, and the economy.

To address the challenge, he noted that ECOWAS had adopted a regional regulation on plastic management in 2023, urging member states to harmonize laws and implement best practices.

He called on all stakeholders to invest in eco-innovation, support community-led waste efforts, enforce environmental laws, and empower youth-led climate actions. Adding that, “The ECOWAS Commission stands ready to work side-by-side with Nigeria and all partners to beat plastic pollution—not tomorrow, but today.”

Key highlights of the event included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Rural Women Energy Security (RUWES) Initiative and Environmental Expressions Ltd, a school quiz on converting plastics into usable materials, and the presentation of goodwill messages from partners and stakeholders.