Unpacking Nigeria’s Climate Laws: Why They Struggle to Combat the Plastic Crisis

Nigeria is gearing up for the Global Plastics Treaty INC-5.2 talks in Geneva, and there’s a lot of hope for change. The country has strong laws, like the Climate Change Act (2021) and the National Plastic Waste Policy (2020), that suggest it’s ready to tackle the plastic pollution crisis. However, the situation on the ground tells a different story.

From Lagos to Lokoja, blocked drains and plastic-filled rivers are common sights. Heavy rainfall leads to flooding, pushing aside families and disrupting lives. Despite Nigeria’s promise to eliminate single-use plastics by 2025, the reality is stark.

So, what’s going wrong? Although experts praise Nigeria for having some of Africa’s best environmental laws, implementation is lagging. The Climate Change Act provides a framework for reducing carbon emissions and managing plastic waste, but it struggles in practice.

Nigeria’s National Policy on Plastic Waste Management aims to ban non-biodegradable plastic bags and encourage recycling, but these plans need more action. Various agencies are supposed to enforce these rules, but they often lack the funding and staffing needed. A report from DA News notes that, in 2024, these agencies received less than 2% of the budget meant for climate action.

Dr. Chidi Umeh, who researches environmental governance in Abuja, points out that while policies exist, the structure to implement them falters. “Inter-agency collaboration is crucial,” he says. “Without it, the plastic treaty might end up being another unfulfilled promise.”

This lack of coordinated effort makes it hard to manage waste regulations across different levels of government. Nigeria plans to implement Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards by 2027, making companies accountable for their waste. However, many local manufacturers are still not included in these plans.

States play a key role in enforcing environmental policies. Unfortunately, only Lagos, Rivers, and Ogun have specific regulations for plastic waste. Other regions, especially in North-Central Nigeria, lag in creating targeted initiatives to combat plastic pollution and face severe flooding risks.

Experts emphasize that plastic pollution isn’t just an environmental issue but also a humanitarian one. Zainab Yusuf from the Nigeria Climate Justice Collective states, “Managing plastic waste is linked to climate resilience.” Ignoring this pollution harms flood control and affects food and water security.

While many Nigerians voice concerns on social media about plastic waste, overall awareness about climate issues remains low. Non-governmental organizations and youth activists are making strides, but government-led education initiatives are rare and underfunded.

As Nigeria heads to Geneva, the focus will be on creating solid commitments to manage plastic production and waste. However, signing a treaty is just the beginning. The real challenge lies in transforming these commitments into actionable laws and effective enforcement mechanisms. For Nigeria, combating plastic pollution will require teamwork, funding, and a commitment to seeing these plans through.

As highlighted by recent statistics, Nigeria’s plastic pollution problem affects millions and poses additional threats to health and civil stability. The path forward must consider these intertwined challenges to create a sustainable environment for future generations.

For more comprehensive insights, feel free to check resources from organizations like the [United Nations Environment Programme](https://www.unep.org). Here, you can dive deeper into global environmental initiatives and Nigeria’s role in them.

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