The Lagos State government, in collaboration with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Chevron, and Seven-Up Bottling Company, has called for urgent and collective action to curb plastic pollution threatening the environment, marine life, and public health.
This call was made during the 19th annual Walk for Nature, held at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) under the theme ‘Lagos, Let’s Beat Plastic Pollution’. The event aimed to raise public awareness about environmental conservation, responsible waste management, and sustainable living practices.
Representing Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Special Adviser on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, described plastic pollution as a ‘silent crisis’ that endangers waterways, marine life, and human health. He noted that Lagos generates about 870,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, of which less than 12 per cent is recycled.
Sanwo-Olu outlined key government initiatives to address the challenge, including enforcing the ban on single-use plastics and Styrofoam containers, expanding waste-to-wealth programmes, and introducing the Blue Box initiative for waste segregation at the source.
He added that the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) had strengthened waste collection systems and partnered with private recyclers to enforce the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy, which compels manufacturers to recover and recycle their plastic waste. The state has also empowered Environmental Marshals to enforce sanitation laws and support the Cleaner Lagos Initiative.
The governor urged residents to adopt the ‘eight Rs’ of sustainable living: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink, Repair, Re-gift, Recover, and Refuse. ‘I urge every Lagosian to refuse what you don’t need, reduce your plastic use, and recycle what you can. Beating plastic pollution is essential to building a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient Lagos’, he said.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tajudeen Omobolaji Gaji, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Mr Mahamood Adegbite, said Lagos had taken bold steps to tackle plastic waste, including banning plastic materials below 40 microns in thickness.
Gaji noted that Lagos, being a coastal megacity, faces severe environmental strain from plastic pollution, which clogs waterways, disrupts ecosystems, and endangers aquatic life. ‘Nature has nourished, healed, and protected us for centuries. Now it is our turn to nourish, heal, and protect nature by saying no to single-use plastics, supporting recycling, promoting a circular economy, and embracing sustainable habits’, he said.
He commended the NCF for its consistent advocacy and collaboration with the state on environmental sustainability. He added that Lagos was developing a wetlands and biodiversity policy to integrate environmental protection into development planning.
Chairman of the National Executive Council (NEC) of NCF, Justice R.I.B. Adebiyi, called for shared responsibility among citizens, manufacturers, and policymakers in addressing plastic waste. She urged Nigerians to hold producers accountable for adopting reusable and eco-friendly packaging.
She described the annual walk as a symbolic yet practical step toward environmental consciousness. ‘The theme is both a challenge and a call to action. It reminds us that Lagos must lead in confronting the menace of plastic waste that threatens our well-being and our future’, she said.
Adebiyi commended the state government for banning single-use plastics and praised YABATECH’s management for its support of the initiative. She warned that poorly managed plastics clog drainage channels, cause flooding, and eventually break down into microplastics that contaminate fish and human food. ‘The plastic that escapes into the sea does not disappear. It breaks down into microplastics that are eaten by fish, and we, in turn, consume those fish’, she cautioned.
She added that the NCF operates over 600 conservation clubs across Nigeria, where students are trained on recycling and waste management. ‘Walk for Nature is not just symbolic; it is about inspiring sustained community action that leads to long-term environmental impact’, she said.
NCF’s Director General, Dr Joseph Onoja, also urged Nigerians to take personal responsibility in addressing plastic pollution. ‘The issue of the environment is not just for NCF; we may be the gatekeepers, but everybody needs to be involved’, he said.
Onoja warned that if current waste habits persist, the world could face a situation where plastics outnumber fish in the oceans. He called for a cultural shift toward personal accountability and responsible consumption.
‘For our self-interest, we must take this seriously. I ask everyone: where does your plastic end up?’ he asked.
He criticised the culture of indiscriminate waste disposal, particularly among educated individuals, describing it as ‘heartbreaking to see people in luxury cars throwing trash out of their windows’.
Onoja also highlighted the need for strong environmental legislation, commending the National Assembly for passing the Species Conservation and Protection Act to safeguard endangered wildlife.
As part of the event, LAWMA and NCF donated five large recycling bins to YABATECH to promote responsible waste disposal and strengthen environmental education among students.
