FG Raises the Alarm Over Plastic Pollution, Warns of Microplastics in Food Chain
The Federal Government has cautioned that plastic pollution is increasingly endangering aquatic ecosystems and public health, warning that microplastics have begun infiltrating the food chain through fish consumption.
The alert was delivered in Abuja by Falmata Bukar-Kolo, Deputy Director of the Solid Waste Management and Technology Division at the Federal Ministry of Environment, during a stakeholders’ workshop organised in partnership with PROTEGO to review and validate a policy brief on marine litter prevention.
Bukar-Kolo explained that plastics, though widely utilised nationwide, are non-biodegradable and persist in the environment for extended periods, worsening pollution in rivers, waterways and coastal areas.
She highlighted the environmental consequences of blocked drainage systems, soil degradation and emissions generated from the burning of plastic waste.
She further noted that improperly discarded plastics in inland communities are frequently carried by floodwaters and rivers into the sea, significantly contributing to marine litter along Nigeria’s coastline.
The ministry called for comprehensive reforms in waste management practices, stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and closer coordination among agencies and stakeholders to address the growing crisis. Emphasis was also placed on promoting behavioural change and encouraging safer alternatives to single-use plastics.
Regional Coordinator of PROTEGO, Clem Ugorji, stated that marine litter presents not only ecological challenges but also economic and reputational risks, particularly for coastal communities reliant on fishing and tourism.
He expressed confidence that coordinated policy measures backed by sustainable financing could help reverse current trends.
Among key recommendations contained in the policy brief is the harmonisation of responsibilities among regulatory bodies, including the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and the National Inland Waterways Authority, whose overlapping mandates have been identified as obstacles to effective water pollution control.
The document also proposes mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility to hold manufacturers accountable for the lifecycle of plastic packaging, alongside innovative financing mechanisms such as blue bonds and environmental levies to strengthen coastal waste management infrastructure.
Nigeria has witnessed rising levels of plastic pollution in recent years, largely driven by inadequate waste disposal systems and weak enforcement.
The Abuja workshop forms part of broader federal efforts to develop a coordinated policy framework aimed at curbing marine litter and safeguarding aquatic ecosystems and public health.
