Sachet Water Crisis Exposes Nigeria’s Plastic Pollution, Water Failures
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Participants at the inception meeting of the GEF Child Project 11193 on Tuesday in Abuja
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s heavy reliance on plastic sachet water once again exposes deep failures in public water infrastructure, as government agencies launch a new partnership aimed at reducing plastic pollution without disrupting access to drinking water.
The Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Professor Innocent Barikor, reveals that more than 32,000 sachet water producers process over 2.5 billion litres annually, a scale that fuels widespread plastic waste while filling gaps left by unreliable piped water systems.
Speaking on Tuesday at the inception meeting of GEF Child Project 11193 in Abuja, Barikor acknowledged the dilemma.
“Sachet water provides affordable access to millions, but it also creates severe environmental challenges, including blocked drainage systems, flooding and ecosystem contamination,” he says.
The initiative, titled Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution in Nigeria, brings together NESREA, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). However, officials offer limited details on enforcement timelines or alternative water supply investments.
GEF representative Anna Blanpain, speaking on behalf of Evelyn Swain, says Nigeria could become a model for emerging economies battling plastic waste.
UNEP official Isabella Vanderbeck calls for the elimination of single-use plastics but stops short of outlining a transition pathway from current consumption levels.
The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, represented by Chief Scientific Officer Zuliat Mohammed, pledges collaboration but does not announce new infrastructure funding.
Analysts warn that restricting sachet water production without expanding municipal water access could worsen inequality and disrupt livelihoods within an industry that employs thousands.
Officials say pilot programmes will precede nationwide rollout, though locations and benchmarks remain undisclosed.
About the Author
Mirian Gom 
Chukwu Obinna 
