Ineffective Waste Management Increasing Nigeria’s Environmental Disaster – FERA
By Simeon OSAJIE
The Executive Director, Foundation for Earth’s Rights Assembly (FERA), Barr. Nosa Tokunbor has ascribed Nigeria’s increasing environmental challenges to the country’s incompetent waste management system, particularly the unchecked spread of plastic pollution.
Barr. Tokunbor stated this at a press conference in Benin, Edo State capital to mark the 2025 World Environment Day themed: “End Plastic Pollution in Nigeria.” He warned that single-use plastics now control the landscape of Nigerian cities, largely due to the failure of existing waste systems.
Tokunbor highlighted that the nation’s heavy dependence on plastic, especially non-recyclable types, poses a grave threat to human health, biodiversity, and the climate.
According to him, “Plastic pollution is a major contributor to climate change. Globally, it is estimated that 19–23 million tons of plastic leak into aquatic ecosystems annually. This has devastating effects on ecosystems, economies, and human health.”
He distinguished that while recycling is important, it is not adequate. “Only about 9% of plastics are recycled globally. Many plastic products are not designed for reuse, making recycling difficult,” Tokunbor explained.
He called for urgent adoption of alternatives and redesigns that promote durability and reusability.
Emphasizing the global dimension of the issue, he cited the ongoing negotiations toward an international legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution, as outlined in the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) Resolution 5/14.
Tokunbor urged greater international cooperation and support for developing countries like Nigeria to adopt effective policies.
According to him, “Ambitious policies are needed, but many nations lack the resources to implement them. Development cooperation can help scale up policy efforts and resource mobilization.”
He called on Nigerians to reduce their plastic footprint and support systemic changes to combat environmental degradation.
