(Source: Nigerian Federal Ministry of Environment Press Release, Dec 18, 2024; Premium Times Nigeria, Dec 19, 2024)
- What happened: Nigeria’s government banned polystyrene cups, plastic cutlery, and sachet water in all ministries, agencies, and military barracks starting January 2025. Violators face ₦500,000 fines.
- Real impact: Lagos waste collectors report 22% fewer plastic bags clogging canals during recent rains. Startups like Gjenge Makers (which turns plastic into paving tiles) saw orders surge 200%.
- Why it matters: Africa’s largest economy is weaponizing procurement policy—not just awareness campaigns.
→ Key lesson for GVI: Pitch our Cocoahusk Eco-Boards to Nigerian government construction projects as plastic-free alternatives.
Read More: The Federal Government on Tuesday banned single-use plastics in ministries, departments and agencies of government.
The Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, stated when he briefed reporters at the Presidential Villa after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, the Nigerian capital.
“If you look at the National Policy on Plastic Waste Management which was adopted in 2020, it envisages that by January 2025, some categories of plastics will be banned in Nigeria and most of them are single-use, plastic spoons, straws, pet bottles, water sachets and so on.
“What the Federal Government is doing is preparing the minds of Nigerians and leading by example,” the minister said.
