FG Sets Up Committee to Enforce Ban on Single-Use Plastics Nationwide

The Federal Government has inaugurated a 14-member inter-ministerial committee to oversee the enforcement of Nigeria’s ban on single-use plastics, in a move aimed at curbing pollution and promoting environmental sustainability.

The inauguration, held on Tuesday in Abuja, was conducted by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the General Services Office, Mohammed Danjuma.

According to a statement issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and signed by its spokesperson, Segun Imohiosen, the new committee is charged with coordinating the implementation of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) decision reached on June 25, 2024. The FEC, at that meeting, approved the nationwide ban on several single-use plastic items, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, styrofoam, plastic bags, sachet water, and drinking straws.

Mr Danjuma explained that the policy aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to protecting the environment and public health by tackling the growing menace of plastic pollution, which threatens marine ecosystems, wildlife, and human well-being.

“The inappropriate disposal of plastic materials has become a major cause of land and marine pollution,” he said. “Plastics take several years to decompose and release toxic substances that endanger both wildlife and human health.”

He added that the committee will coordinate national strategies to phase out single-use plastics, develop alternative packaging solutions, and encourage recycling across key sectors of the economy.

The 14-member committee includes representatives from the Office of the SGF, the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Ministry of Finance, as well as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). Civil society groups, research institutions, and private-sector experts in recycling technologies are also represented.

Among its terms of reference, the committee will investigate challenges within the plastic value chain, assess the socio-economic implications of the ban, and recommend practical steps to ensure compliance across states and industries.

Officials said the initiative reflects Nigeria’s leadership role in environmental protection and supports the country’s efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those on responsible consumption and climate action.

The federal initiative comes at a time when global negotiations on a legally binding plastics treaty remain stalled. Nigeria, which participated in the recent talks in Geneva, reiterated its commitment to the global effort but emphasized that national priorities and developmental realities must guide local implementation.

According to the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, the country generates about 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with Lagos State alone responsible for more than 800,000 tonnes.

The government’s latest move is expected to strengthen previous measures, including the 2024 directive banning single-use plastics within federal ministries and agencies, and to advance broader waste management reforms nationwide.