The Federal Government has inaugurated an inter-ministerial committee to coordinate and oversee the implementation of the ban on single-use plastics across the country.
The committee was inaugurated on Tuesday in Abuja by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) spokesperson, Segun Imohiosen.
Akume explained that the decision to ban single-use plastics followed the approval of a memorandum presented by the Minister of Environment at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on June 25, 2024.
The banned items include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, styrofoam, plastic bags, sachet water packs, and plastic straws.
According to Akume, the ban seeks to curb plastic pollution and mitigate its harmful impact on public health, ecosystems, and marine life.
“The inappropriate disposal of plastic materials has become a major cause of marine pollution and land degradation. Plastic waste takes years to decompose and poses a serious threat to wildlife and public health due to toxic chemicals,” he said.
He added that the FEC decision aligns with the Federal Government’s broader environmental and public health goals.
“The government approved the ban to tackle health and environmental challenges caused by single-use plastic products, which have become a major sanitation concern nationwide,” Akume stated.
The newly inaugurated committee comprises representatives from key ministries, departments, agencies, and stakeholder organisations.
It is tasked with coordinating and monitoring the enforcement of the ban, evaluating its social and economic impacts, and promoting sustainable alternatives within the plastic value chain.
“The committee’s terms of reference include investigating issues surrounding single-use plastics, assessing the implications of the ban, and developing strategies to encourage best environmental practices,” the statement added.
The government described the initiative as a demonstration of Nigeria’s leadership in environmental protection and its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) report estimates that Nigeria generates about 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with Lagos State alone contributing approximately 870,000 tonnes.
Lagos State had earlier announced a ban on styrofoam and other single-use plastics in 2024, while the Federal Government also prohibited their use in public offices that same year.
With Tuesday’s inauguration of the inter-ministerial committee, the nationwide enforcement of the single-use plastics ban is now expected to commence in earnest.
