LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has raised concerns over the Federal Government’s planned enforcement of new plastic waste regulations, arguing that the proposed measures could create serious challenges for manufacturers while delivering uncertain environmental benefits.
The regulations, proposed by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), seek to tighten controls on plastic products across Nigeria.
Among the measures are a ban on the production and use of single-use plastic products below 80 microns in thickness, taxes on shopping bags with wall thicknesses between 30 and 50 microns, and restrictions on several other plastic items listed under the agency’s Eleventh Schedule.
Reacting to the proposal, MAN urged the Federal Government to suspend implementation until a comprehensive Regulatory Impact Assessment is carried out.
They warned that the measures could affect industrial growth, jobs, investments, and consumer costs across the country.
The association maintained that efforts to tackle plastic pollution should focus on strengthening waste collection, sorting, recycling, and disposal systems while protecting economic activities and jobs.
In a statement, MAN Director-General Segun Ajayi-Kadir warned that the regulations could have unintended consequences across the plastics value chain.
According to him, the measures could disrupt manufacturing operations, weaken existing investments, threaten thousands of direct and indirect jobs, and ultimately increase production costs that may be passed on to consumers.
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While acknowledging the need to address environmental pollution and improve waste management practices, Ajayi-Kadir argued that the proposed regulations may be premature because they lack sufficient evidence to justify their expected impact.
He stressed that environmental sustainability should be pursued alongside economic development, noting that millions of livelihoods depend on industries connected to plastic production and processing.
Furthermore, the MAN chief pointed to existing government initiatives aimed at reducing plastic pollution.
He noted that the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), working with the Federal Ministry of Environment, developed a Plastic Circularity Roadmap in 2024 to promote sustainable management of plastic waste.
“The roadmap outlined strategies for reducing plastic waste through improved collection systems, recycling infrastructure, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), circular economy initiatives, public awareness campaigns, and investments in waste management. However, many of the roadmap’s key recommendations have yet to be fully implemented,” he said.
Ajayi-Kadir also questioned the effectiveness of previous restrictions imposed on plastic products, arguing that policymakers should rely on evidence before introducing additional regulations.
“There is no evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of previous restrictions on plastic products in reducing environmental pollution, improving recycling rates, or changing consumer behaviour. Public policy should be based on measurable outcomes, evidence, and stakeholder engagement,” he stated.
The debate highlights the growing challenge of balancing environmental protection with economic realities, particularly as Nigeria seeks solutions to plastic pollution without placing additional pressure on industries, workers, and consumers.
