As the global community marks World Environment Day 2025 under the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution,” the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) has urged governments, businesses, civil society, and citizens in Nigeria to take bold and coordinated action to address the growing plastic pollution crisis threatening the country’s environment and public health.
Dr Akin Akingbulu, Executive Director of CEMESO, called for stronger cross-sector collaboration to combat the flood of plastic waste overwhelming Nigeria’s urban centres, rural communities, and delicate ecosystems.
“Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in the global effort to end plastic pollution. While the government has made laudable commitments, implementation must be swift, inclusive, and rooted in the realities of urban and rural Nigeria,” Dr Akingbulu said.
Dr Akingbulu noted that major cities like Lagos are increasingly overwhelmed by plastic waste, which blocks waterways and contributes to environmental and public health disasters. He added that rural and oil-producing communities, particularly in the Niger Delta, are experiencing compounded degradation from extractive industry pollution and poor plastic waste management.
While acknowledging recent policy efforts by the Nigerian government, Dr Akingbulu stressed that effective implementation, enforcement, and widespread public education are critical for their success.
“This is a moment for shared responsibility. From policymakers to producers, media professionals to school children, everyone must play a role. Let us not wait until our rivers, farms, and future are permanently choked by plastic.”
Dr. Akin Akingbulu outlined a multi-stakeholder approach to address plastic waste, issuing specific calls to action for various sectors. He urged the Federal Government to fully enforce the 2025 ban on single-use plastics and promote recycling and circular economy initiatives.
For state and local governments, he emphasized the need to invest in waste management infrastructure and public sensitization campaigns. He called on the media to amplify environmental education and drive behavioral change.
Additionally, he encouraged civil society and the private sector to collaborate on innovative and sustainable packaging solutions, while he appealed to communities and citizens to adopt the “Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink” principles in their daily lives to combat plastic waste effectively.
CEMESO expressed optimism that with collective commitment, Nigeria can transition “from pollution to solution” and secure a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations.
“This is not just about cleaning up plastic waste,” Dr Akingbulu concluded. “It’s about rethinking our relationship with the environment and committing to sustainable living.”
World Environment Day, an initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has grown into the largest global platform for environmental outreach. This year’s observance shines a spotlight on plastic pollution, one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time.
Globally, over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, with significant volumes ending up in landfills, rivers, and oceans. Nigeria alone contributes approximately 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, of which over 88% is not recycled. This often results in clogged drainage systems, urban flooding, marine pollution, and worsening health conditions.