The Federal Government has unveiled the National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations, 2026, to address plastic pollution, promote producer responsibility and transition towards a circular economy.
The Plastic Control Regulations provide a framework for managing plastics throughout their life cycle from production and use to collection, recycling and final disposal.
The regulations sought to provide Nigeria with a stronger framework for addressing plastic pollution, promoting producer responsibility and creating the conditions for a more circular plastics economy.
The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, unveiled the document on Thursday in Abuja and was represented by his Permanent Secretary, Salihu Usman.
Lawal said the regulations aim to ensure that every actor in the plastics value chain accepts responsibility for production, import, sale, and use.
“Most importantly, it is a line between good intentions and enforceable action,” he said.
Lawal stated that Nigeria generated an estimated 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually.
“We see its consequences around us, in blocked drainages, worsening floods, polluted waterways, degraded landscapes and contaminated communities,” he said.
Lawal stated that among other provisions, plastic shopping bags with thicknesses below 80 microns would be regulated.
The minister stated that the regulations cover the entire plastic value chain from producers to converters to brand owners, importers, retailers, consumers and waste managers.
He stated that recycling facilities would be required to meet prescribed environmental standards while the use of banned toxic chemicals in plastic production would constitute a criminal offence.
“We must build a greener Nigeria, but a Nigeria in which no Nigerian is left behind,” he said.
In a goodwill message, Garba Muhammad Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) said the unveiling of the document was timely.
Muhammad said plastic pollution remained a major environmental challenge affecting Nigeria’s communities waterways livelihoods and public health.
“Addressing it requires not only effective regulation but also responsible production and consumption strong institutions innovation and sustained collaboration,” he said.
Earlier, the Director-General of NESREA Prof. Innocent Barikor stated that the regulations sought to improve material recovery and create the conditions for a more circular plastics economy.
“Today is significant as it marks a transition from policy intention to implementation. However, regulation alone cannot deliver these outcomes.
“It must be supported by functional systems responsible markets innovation investment and sustained collaboration across the value chain,” he said.
Isabelle Vanderbeek, a UN Environment Programme (UNEP) representative, said the unveiling was a milestone and a move towards Nigeria’s circular economy.
