With Lagos set to begin full enforcement of its single-use plastics (SUPs) ban on July 1, 2025, tensions are mounting between the state government and key industry players, particularly the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), over the policy’s economic and scientific foundations.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the move, spearheaded by the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, is part of broader efforts to combat environmental degradation in Africa’s most populous city.
- With Lagos set to begin full enforcement of its single-use plastics (SUPs) ban on July 1, 2025, tensions are mounting between the state government and key industry players, particularly the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), over the policy’s economic and scientific foundations.
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But while the state insists the policy is long overdue and the result of extensive consultations, MAN argues that it lacks a data-driven basis and fails to consider Nigeria’s current economic reality.
“Time to Act”
In a statement in May, Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to implementing the ban, which includes styrofoam and other plastic items commonly used for packaging food and beverages.
“Now it’s time to act,” Wahab said, referencing the state’s phased approach and engagement efforts. “This is about environmental responsibility and we have given ample time to align with global best practices.”
He emphasised that over the past 18 months, Lagos held a series of stakeholder engagement sessions with producers and distributors of SUPs. “What is unacceptable elsewhere cannot become standard in Lagos. We must protect our future and do what is right for the greater good,” he added.
Wahab cited the successful enforcement of the styrofoam ban in early 2024 as evidence of the state’s capacity to implement such policies. “We’re not here to score points. We’re here to do the work… we will insist on accountability and responsibility.”
Manufacturers Push Back
However, in a strongly worded statement issued Monday, MAN called on the Lagos government to reconsider the SUP ban, describing it as “out of tune with reality.”
Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director-General of MAN, said the policy was not informed by credible data and was rolled out without adequate industry consultation, suggesting that Wahab’s stakeholder sessions with manufacturers did not convince them.
Ajayi-Kadir contended that the ministry’s decision was based on unsubstantiated claims about health and environmental risks associated with SUPs. “There are no published studies to support the assertion,” he said.
He pointed to Nigeria’s National Plastic Action Roadmap and the draft 2023 National Plastic Waste Control Regulation (NPWCR), both of which were developed through inclusive, evidence-based processes. “Its consultation process was participatory, ranking high on the public participation continuum,” Ajayi-Kadir said of the NPWCR framework. “Its output was therefore widely endorsed and accepted.”
By contrast, he said Lagos State’s approach—starting from its 2021 draft Plastic Waste Management Policy—duplicated existing initiatives without meaningful industry engagement. The result, he argued, is a simplistic approach that overlooks the systemic nature of Nigeria’s plastic waste problem.
A Call for Balance
Rather than outright bans, MAN is advocating for a transition toward a circular economy that supports recycling, local alternatives, and infrastructure investment. The association urged Lagos to adopt a “balanced strategy” that integrates the perspectives of manufacturers, traders, and waste managers.
Ajayi-Kadir also warned against adopting external policies without tailoring them to Nigeria’s unique socio-economic context.
“The ban prioritises a simplistic approach over a sustainable one, neglects social, economic, and environmental balance, and ignores evidence that inadequate waste collection and management systems are major contributors to plastic pollution in Nigeria,” he said.
What Comes Next?
With the July 1 enforcement date around the corner, MAN signals that the Lagos government is yet to secure the buy-in of stakeholders as the state seeks to tackle plastic pollution. The pushback from manufacturers could still influence how the ban is carried out.
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It remains to be seen whether the state is willing to adjust its plans to reflect both environmental goals and industry concerns.
Philip Ibitoye is a Special Correspondent with EKO HOT BLOG. Click here to find daily analysis and critical insight on trending issues in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
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