The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, has said Nigeria generates more than 32 million tonnes of municipal solid waste every year, with less than 40 per cent of it properly collected and managed. He warned that this situation poses serious environmental and health risks, especially in urban and coastal areas.
Oresanya made this known during the 2025 World Environment Day & Exhibition, held under the theme: “From Pollution to Innovation: Aligning Policy, Enterprise and Community for Sustainable Waste Management in Nigeria.” The event was organised by Green Hub Africa to address the country’s growing waste crisis.
He explained that the low level of waste collection and disposal contributes to air, water, and soil pollution, increases greenhouse gas emissions, and worsens the threat of plastic pollution, particularly in Nigeria’s coastal regions. “Illegal dumpsites are everywhere,” he said, “but infrastructure to support proper waste evacuation is still lacking.”
The Commissioner also criticised the weak enforcement of Nigeria’s National Policy on Solid Waste. He pointed out that although the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) have set policy guidelines, enforcement remains ineffective, and local governments often lack the necessary funding to implement waste management strategies.
He called for a change in approach and urged Nigeria to consider adopting strategies similar to those used in the European Union, such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). According to him, EPR would ensure that manufacturers are held accountable for the lifecycle of their products, particularly plastics, and would promote circular economy practices.
To strengthen implementation, Oresanya recommended providing tax incentives for sustainable practices and penalties for non-compliance. He also emphasised the importance of public awareness, suggesting that campaigns should be tailored using the expansion diffusion theory, which focuses on how new ideas and practices spread through targeted communication.
“Nigeria’s efforts must align with global standards like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production and the 2022 global commitment to a plastic pollution treaty,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Green Hub Africa, Professor Obas Ebohon, used the event to highlight the broader environmental crisis facing the planet. He described how global climate change, plastic pollution, and ecosystem stress are sending clear signals that urgent action is needed. He noted that over 300 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated globally each year, but only 9 per cent is effectively recycled.
“In Africa, we generate about 17 million tonnes of plastic waste every year, yet we recycle less than 4 per cent of that,” Ebohon said. “But we must not dwell in despair. These challenges present opportunities for innovation.”
He stressed that Nigeria, with its population of over 220 million people, has a unique opportunity to lead Africa’s green revolution. He said the environmental issues facing Lagos, Kano, and Ogun are not isolated but are part of a larger global challenge that requires local solutions.
“What makes this moment powerful is the convergence of policy leadership, enterprise innovation, and community engagement. The answers to our environmental problems will not come from one group alone. It is the interaction between government action, community wisdom, and private sector solutions that will make the difference,” he said.
The event brought together government officials, environmentalists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to explore innovative strategies for managing waste and reducing pollution in Nigeria.
