By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
The Federal Government has taken a major step toward environmental sustainability by inaugurating an Inter-Ministerial Committee to enforce the nationwide ban on single-use plastics (SUPs).
The committee was launched during a ceremony led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, represented by Permanent Secretary Overseeing the General Services Office, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma. The initiative aligns Nigeria with global environmental standards and aims to reduce plastic pollution that threatens public health, ecosystems, and marine life.
The ban, approved following a Federal Executive Council (FEC) memorandum in June 2024, targets a wide range of plastic products, including PET bottles, styrofoam, plastic bags, sachet water, and straws. Inappropriate disposal of these items has long contributed to land degradation and marine pollution, with plastics taking years to decompose and releasing toxic chemicals harmful to humans and wildlife.
The newly inaugurated committee comprises representatives from key ministries, departments, agencies, and stakeholder organizations. Its mandate is to coordinate and oversee policy implementation, investigate the impacts of single-use plastics, and promote best practices throughout the plastics value chain.
Highlighting the broader significance, the Permanent Secretary said the initiative underscores Nigeria’s leadership in environmental stewardship and commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The committee will also evaluate the benefits and wider implications of the ban while designing strategies to encourage environmentally friendly practices, ensuring that Nigeria not only enforces the law but also drives sustainable growth in the plastics sector.
This move positions Nigeria as a regional leader in the fight against plastic pollution, signaling a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for the country.
