The Lagos State Government has announced that it will commence the full implementation of its ban on single-use plastics starting July 1.
This was revealed by the Commissioner for the Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, via a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.
Wahab emphasized that the state has taken a deliberate and well-planned approach over the past 18 months, engaging in consistent dialogue and consultations to ensure a smooth transition.
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During this period, the government reportedly held multiple engagements with key stakeholders, including producers and marketers of single-use plastic products, to foster understanding and cooperation.
Back in January 2024, the state formally prohibited the use of Styrofoam materials, a decision that drew varied reactions from the public, particularly traders whose businesses depend on these products.
However, Wahab clarified that the administration had provided sufficient time for adaptation and alignment with international environmental standards, stressing that practices deemed unacceptable in other parts of the world should not be normalized in Lagos.
“We re-emphasised this stand during a courtesy visit by management of TETRA PAK West Africa Limited, led by the Managing Director, Haithem Debbiche.
“This is about environmental responsibility. And we have given an ample time to align with global best practices. What is unacceptable elsewhere cannot become standard in Lagos. We must protect our future and do what is right for the greater good.
“We’re not here to score points. We’re here to do the work. Just like with the successful enforcement of the styrofoam ban, we will insist on accountability and responsibility. A cleaner, healthier Lagos is within reach if we all play our part.”
In September 2024, the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), widely known as KAI, destroyed Styrofoam packs valued at ₦5 million.
These items had been confiscated over a one-month period from different locations across the state. This destruction took place in Epe and was conducted by LAGESC in collaboration with officials from the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).
While overseeing the exercise, the Corps Marshal of LAGESC, Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (rtd), reiterated the government’s firm stance on the prohibition of Styrofoam usage, declaring that the state has adopted a zero-tolerance policy on its sale and distribution.
On a national scale, the Federal Government also joined efforts to reduce plastic waste by banning single-use plastics in all ministries, departments, and government agencies as of June 2024.
This decision was announced by the Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, during a press briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja following a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.
According to Salako, the National Policy on Plastic Waste Management, which was introduced in 2020, anticipates the elimination of certain types of plastics—mainly single-use—by January 2025.
He added that the ban reflects Nigeria’s broader commitment to addressing climate change, halting biodiversity loss, and curbing the growing threat of plastic pollution.
Salako further highlighted the consequences of unmanaged plastic waste, noting its role in obstructing drainage systems, worsening flooding, and causing environmental and health issues, including marine pollution.
