By The Nation Udeh Onyebuchi
As enforcement of ban on single-use/non-recyclable plastics commences
Lagos produces 870,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, much of it single-use and non-recyclable. Ranked 9th in the world for plastic pollution, Nigeria’s commercial capital is drowning in plastic, and paying the price with floods, blocked drains, and public health risks. UDEH ONYEBUCHI reports.
Across Lagos, the city of aquatic spleandour, the financial hub of the nation, where sounds of commerce blend with the hum of survival, a silent menace has long festered. Beneath the glamour of the metropolis and the entrepreneurial hustle of over 20 million people, the city suffocates, quietly—under the weight of plastics.
However, a revolution has come; a revolution sparked by polystyrene packs, plastic cutlery, and nylon bags less than 40 microns thick. After months of anticipation and a six-month grace period, the Lagos State Government has officially begun enforcement of its ban on certain categories of Single-Use Plastics (SUPs).
But behind the ban lies a powerful story of urgency, vision, resistance, and a state’s determination to reclaim its environment—and its future.
The plastic plague
Plastic pollution has never been just about litter. For Lagos, it has meant flooded streets, choked waterways, endangered wildlife, and rising public health risks. The figures are alarming. According to the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the state produces about 870,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, accounting for 15% of its total waste. Much of this is single-use—designed to be discarded after moments of use, but capable of persisting in the environment for centuries.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) ranks Nigeria 9th on the global ranking of plastic waste countries in the world, a fact that has had serious implications for both climate resilience and biodiversity. Plastic waste disrupts drainage systems, intensifies flooding, and reduces natural ecosystems’ ability to adapt to climate change. For coastal and marine communities in Lagos, this is not a distant concern—it’s an existential threat.
A bold policy with global inspiration
In response to the mounting crisis, the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, took a decisive step: a statewide ban on SUPs less than 40 microns, effective July 1, 2025.
Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab, at the helm of the Ministry, has been resolute. “There will be no going back. We’ve had the grace period. Enforcement begins now,” he declared.
The move aligns Lagos with global leaders in environmental policy. Countries like Rwanda and Kenya have already blazed the trail in banning single-use plastics. In Rwanda, the 2019 restriction on the production and importation of single-use plastics has transformed the country into the cleanest in Africa and opened the door to increased investment in sustainable technologies. Lagos is hoping to replicate and localise that success.
Economic tensions: between sacrifice and innovation
The ban, however, has not come without friction. For many in Lagos, single-use plastics are deeply entrenched in everyday business—especially in food distribution, packaging, and event catering.
According to Oreoluwa Ajayi, a food vendor in Lekki. “I know about the ban. The only reason I’m still using plastic is because I bought a lot. It is money I have spent. But once I finish them, I will switch. Ceramic is the innovation we have to adopt here, but if it will help reduce pollution in the water, I am ready.”
That spirit of cautious optimism is echoed by Nkechi Ani, a seller of Styrofoam in Lekki: “I stopped buying plastic and Styrofoam last year. Finished selling in March. It will affect my business, but we must adapt.”
Mrs. Zainab Yusuf, a seasoned food vendor in Oshodi said: “I used to serve all my customers in Styrofoam packs, they are cheap, and easy to use. Now, I had to bring some ceramic plates in my house. It’s more expensive, and customers who want to rush off don’t like it.”
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Chinedu Obiora, who supplies single plastics and Styrofoam in Oshodi, stated: “Before now, I used to sell single plastic and Styrofoam. That is my business. But now, I am looking for alternatives. So I can still be in business.”
But adaptation is easier said than done. Lagos is Nigeria’s industrial hub; accounting for 54% of the country’s manufacturing activity. The ban has disrupted supply chains, design structures, and consumption patterns. Countless micro-businesses—food vendors, event caterers, and small-scale distributors—are scrambling to find affordable and sustainable alternatives.
In the short run, many fear a surge in operating costs, reduced sales, and possible job losses. Wahab acknowledges these concerns but insists that the long-term benefits—cleaner streets, safer drains, and healthier communities—far outweigh the discomforts of transition.
Opportunity in crisis
While the policy might initially feel like a burden to many entrepreneurs, it carries a silver lining: economic innovation.
Eco-design is poised to become the new norm. With the ban acting as a catalyst, industries are being nudged—if not forced—into developing recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable packaging solutions. This shift could ignite a wave of green entrepreneurship, from local manufacturing of paper-based containers to investment in recycling technologies.
According to Arigor Ghenzini, Curated by Clean Technology Hub, if well-implemented, the ban could “drive positive economic competition, promote innovation, and create new jobs.” The state’s Plastic Waste Management Fund, funded by producers and importers, aims to support this transition and anchor Lagos firmly within a circular economy model.
The Human campaign: from grassroots to government
At the forefront of community-level efforts is the grassroots initiative #PlasticFreeJulyLagos, spearheaded by NGO riteonthebeach in collaboration with the SDGs office. Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Sustainable Development Goals, is rallying schools and communities.
“We’re handing out recyclable bags, promoting source separation, and teaching young people environmental responsibility. Behavioral change is key. We’re not just reducing plastic waste—we’re building a culture,” she said.
Leading the charge is Akintunde Disu, founder of riteonthebeach. “A community committed to finding solutions to the plastic plaguing our marine waters. Restoring the ecosystem, improving human well-being.”
The Kokun Foundation are on the ground conducting Clean Market Initiatives, engaging traders, and spreading awareness about proper sanitation. Olukokun Adepeju, the Foundation’s CEO, is passionate about the mission. “We’re telling them, clean your drains, use proper disposal. If you dump waste illegally, you may face jail. It’s that serious.”
A Call for Strategic Implementation
Experts like Arigor Ghenzini, calls on the Lagos state government to consider alternative implementation measures such as a stepwise or incremental implementation process for implementing the ban. That this will require unfolding the ban in different phases, thereby allowing businesses and workers sufficient time to adapt to the changes.
He urges further that a stepwise implementation would allow the state government enforcement agency to monitor the transition closely, gathering feedback from affected industries and making adjustments to the implementation strategy as needed.
The verdict: necessary and visionary
In a country where regulations are often viewed with skepticism, the SUP ban has ignited an important conversation about the future of Lagos—and by extension, Nigeria.
The road ahead will be bumpy. Prices may rise. Jobs may be lost or reshaped. But the alternative—a drowning city, toxic ecosystems, and a compromised public health system—is far worse.
With the support of its residents and industries, Lagos has the opportunity to lead the way in Africa’s fight against plastic pollution.
As Commissioner Wahab puts it, “The cleanliness we’re talking about starts from you and me. How we treat our environment, our drains, our waste—it all adds up. This is not just about plastic. This is about our lives.”