By Energy Worth

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has reiterated its call for a gradual transition away from single-use plastics during a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Preparedness for the Single-Use Plastic Ban in Nigeria.


The hearing was held on Thursday at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.


Director-General of NESREA, Professor Innocent Barikor, who was represented by the Director of Inspection and Enforcement, Dr. Nenpomigyi Christopher Beka, said a phased and evidence-based transition rather than an abrupt ban would provide a practical pathway to reduce plastic pollution while safeguarding jobs and economic stability.


According to him, the approach would also ensure continued access to safe drinking water and allow industries sufficient time to adapt to alternatives.


Barikor explained that the timelines proposed by the agency integrate key stakeholders including the national and subnational governments, the private sector, civil society and academia, with the goal of achieving a full transition to a circular economy by 2030.


He disclosed that, in the short term, the agency is close to gazetting the Draft National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations 2026. NESREA is also implementing the National Guidelines for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging (Plastics) 2025 and collaborating with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as the private sector to enforce the ban on single-use plastics in federal MDAs nationwide.


As part of its internal implementation efforts, Barikor noted that NESREA has installed refill and reuse systems at its headquarters, with plans to replicate the model across its offices nationwide. The agency has also intensified public sensitisation campaigns on the dangers of single-use plastics.


He further revealed that NESREA is implementing a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded five-year project titled: Plastic Reboot Nigeria: Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution, which aims to reduce plastic sachet consumption while ensuring access to safe drinking water.


Also speaking at the hearing, Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health at the Federal Ministry of Environment, Engr. (Dr.) Bahijjahtu Abubakar, FNSE, advocated a gradual approach to the proposed ban.


She recommended the immediate validation and publication of a list of priority single-use plastic items targeted for phase-out, based on their environmental impact and the availability of cost-effective alternatives.


Abubakar further stressed the need to strengthen standards, laboratory testing capacity and certification processes for alternative materials, including compostable products, before imposing bans.


She also called for grants, concessional financing and technical support for local manufacturers to enable them transition to and scale up alternative products.


Additionally, she urged policymakers to require clear product health information, particularly regarding the presence of microplastics in human organs.


Earlier, while declaring the public hearing open, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by the Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim, said although plastic pollution in Nigeria requires urgent attention, the National Assembly is committed to a structured and inclusive transition process.


“We recognise that the plastics industry is a significant employer of labour, from large manufacturers to informal waste pickers and small-scale vendors who depend on these materials for their livelihoods,” he said.


Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Terseer Ugbor, said the committee is determined to ensure an orderly, efficient and equitable transition that protects both the environment and the economy.


He added that the ultimate goal is to drive an innovative transition towards a circular economy.