The Federal Government will enforce mandatory waste management, holding plastic producers, importers, and brand owners responsible for their products from production to disposal.
NESREA Director-General Prof. Innocent Barikor announced this Thursday at a stakeholders’ sensitisation on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Owerri.
The programme was organised for manufacturers, Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), recyclers, collectors, and NESREA staff members in the South-South and South-East Zones.
Barikor highlighted that managing plastic waste is now a nationwide priority requiring collaborative efforts from all parties involved.
Represented by a Deputy Director in the agency, Mr Chukwudi Nwabuisiaku, the NESREA boss emphasised that the “Polluter Pays Principle” remained the core strategy under the Sustainable Development Goals.
“We believe that the outcome of a product’s environmental impact should not rest solely on the government or the end-consumer, but should be shared by the producers, who introduced these products into the marketplace,” he said.
This approach shifts accountability from voluntary action to a strict regulatory requirement for producers.
Barikor further explained that the 2026 National Environmental Regulations, a new roadmap and master plan for plastic waste control, would guide importers and brand owners to manage post-consumer packaging.
He said that the guidelines set specific annual targets for plastic collection, recovery, and recycling across the country to ensure international best practices, among others.
He also said that the EPR programme was an invitation to innovate and not a tax levied on industries.
“It aims to reduce operational costs, create green jobs, and enhance Nigeria’s global brand reputation,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to strengthen coordination and commit to achieving a cleaner Nigeria.
Barikor thanked the United Nations Environment Programme and the Japanese Government for supporting Nigeria’s shift to a more circular plastic economy.
Presenting an Overview of the EPR Framework, Nwabuisiaku emphasised that EPR required collaboration across the value chain.
He also said that the policy’s success depended on active participation and accountability.
“EPR is not about waste, it is about responsibility, value retention and national sustainability,” he said.
Lectures included “EPR Guidelines and Compliance Requirements” by Mrs Cynthia Abiye-Whyte.
Nwabuisiaku discussed the roles of producers, PROs, states, and regulators.
Dr Azubuike Chukwuka spoke on producer registration and reporting duties.
