Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Environment, announced that the federal government has approved a ban on single-use plastics in ministries, departments and agencies of government to tackle plastic pollution, effects of climate change, and biodiversity loss.
The decision was made during Tuesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which was chaired by President Bola Tinubu.
According to Salako, the ban is part of the administration’s comprehensive strategy to manage plastic waste and address the interconnected threats of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
The move is also consistent with the National Policy on Plastic Waste Management adopted in 2022.
The minister emphasized the gravity of plastic pollution in Nigeria, calling it a “major issue” affecting the country.”
He lamented that plastic waste often clogs drains and contributes to flooding, while also polluting the oceans and affecting human health and the environment.
He explained that the ban is part of the administration’s efforts to promote responsible plastic waste management by refusing, reducing, reusing, repurposing, and recycling.
Salako added that the ban serves as a leading example for the Nigerian populace to be environmentally responsible and use plastic waste judiciously.
“The federal ministry of environment proposed and the federal executive council approved the ban on the use of on-the-go plastics, what we know as single-use plastics, in all ministries, agencies, and departments of the federal governments,” the minister said.
“This is in line with the 2022 national policy on gas-to-waste management.
“We must say that the discussion in Exco was very smooth because all members of Exco, including Mr. President, were very enthusiastic about this ban.
“As you know, plastic is one of the key challenges that we face when we go to our drains. And when we talk about the issue of flooding, we find out that plastic waste is heavily criminalised.
“So for us to adequately and properly use all five principles of sustainability in terms of refusing, reducing, reusing, repurposing, and recycling, the council has approved that, with some framework being put in place, there will be no longer the use of single-use plastics in all ministries, departments, and agencies of governments.
“Of course, this is to serve as a leading example to the Nigerian populace so that we know that we have to be environmentally responsible and use plastic waste very, very responsibly.”
