Environmental Groups Demand Binding Targets as Nigeria’s Plastic Crisis Deepens
Oluwafunbi Bello 
LAGOS, Nigeria – Environmental groups warn Nigeria’s plastic pollution emergency is accelerating, urging governments to adopt binding reduction targets as single-use packaging overwhelms cities, clogs drainage and worsens flooding.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Lagos, campaigners say Nigeria generates about 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with recycling rates remaining negligible.
“About 60 million water sachets are discarded every day—over 20 billion a year,” says the Clean Energy Campaigner at GAIA, Weyinmi Okotie, “A large share ends up blocking drainage and intensifying floods in dense urban communities.”
The audit examines 298,174 pieces of plastic waste collected during community clean-ups across eight cities in seven states, including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Warri, Jos, Uyo, Ughelli, Benin City and Osogbo. Sachets dominate the waste stream, followed by bottles, bags and wrappers. Brands most frequently identified include Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé, Rite Foods and CWAY Group.
“The crisis is driven by a throwaway culture tied to fossil fuels,” Okotie warns. “Delay is no longer an option.”
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