The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has urged the Federal Government to suspend the proposed ban on single-use plastics below 80 microns, pending a comprehensive regulatory impact assessment.
The call was made on Monday in Lagos by MAN’s Director-General, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, in response to the proposed implementation of the National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations 2026 by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
The proposed regulation seeks to prohibit the production and use of single-use plastic products below 80 microns, impose taxes on shopping bags within the 30–50 micron range, and restrict several other plastic products listed under the Eleventh Schedule of the policy framework.
Ajayi-Kadir warned that the policy could disrupt industrial production, threaten jobs, and impose significant economic costs on manufacturers and consumers across Nigeria.
While acknowledging the need to address plastic pollution, he argued that the proposed ban was premature and not backed by sufficient empirical evidence or impact analysis.
He noted that the Federal Government had already introduced the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) and developed a Plastic Circularity Roadmap in 2024, designed to address plastic waste through improved collection systems, recycling infrastructure, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks.
“It is difficult to understand why government is proceeding with a new prohibition regime without first evaluating existing measures and implementing the agreed roadmap,” he said.
Ajayi-Kadir also highlighted the absence of publicly available assessments measuring the effectiveness of earlier restrictions on single-use plastics, including their impact on pollution reduction, recycling rates, and consumer behaviour.
He cited international examples, including Kenya, Bangladesh, South Africa, and India, where similar bans reportedly produced limited environmental improvements while creating economic challenges.
In contrast, he noted that countries such as Germany, South Korea, and the Netherlands have achieved better environmental outcomes through strong recycling systems and Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks rather than outright bans.
According to him, Nigeria’s plastics industry plays a critical role in manufacturing, supporting factories, small and medium enterprises, and value chains across packaging, food processing, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and logistics.
He warned that the proposed 80-micron threshold would require costly adjustments in production processes and machinery, potentially making existing investments obsolete and increasing production costs.
Ajayi-Kadir added that these additional costs would likely be transferred to consumers, particularly small businesses, traders, and food vendors who depend on affordable packaging materials.
He also expressed concern that the policy could increase reliance on imported alternatives, undermining Nigeria’s goals of industrialisation, job creation, import substitution, and export diversification.
The MAN chief maintained that plastic pollution should be addressed primarily as a waste management challenge, rather than a production ban issue.
“The problem lies not in the material itself, but in inadequate waste management infrastructure and enforcement,” he said.
He therefore called on NESREA and the Federal Government to suspend the proposed ban and conduct a full Regulatory Impact Assessment covering environmental, economic, social, and employment implications.
Ajayi-Kadir further urged the strengthening of the EPR framework, full implementation of the 2024 Plastic Circularity Roadmap, and increased investment in recycling and waste management systems.
He also recommended the creation of a multi-stakeholder working group involving government agencies, manufacturers, recyclers, environmental organisations, academia, and development partners to develop balanced solutions.
According to him, Nigeria can achieve environmental sustainability without undermining industrial growth if policies are guided by evidence and inclusive consultation.
