Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources in Lagos, Nigeria, took to Twitter to announce a ban on Styrofoam and other single-use plastics in the state, effective immediately. Vendors and distributors of polystyrene foam packaging were given a three-week window to clear their existing stock before enforcement began. Ministry representatives have been actively engaging with market vendors to raise awareness about the ban and its impending enforcement. While the focus is currently on polystyrene foam, additional regulations targeting other single-use plastic products are anticipated later in 2024.
Commissioner Wahab emphasized the need to prioritize the well-being of Lagosians over the economic interests of a select few business owners profiting from the indiscriminate disposal of single-use plastics and other waste materials.
The sudden implementation of the ban has raised concerns, with the US-Nigeria Trade Council expressing reservations about its impact.
Following Lagos's lead, the state of Abia also enacted a similar ban. Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Ogbonna, highlighted the seriousness of the prohibition and pledged decisive action against violators.
At the federal level, the Nigerian Ministry of Environment announced its own commitment to phasing out single-use plastics at its headquarters and affiliated agencies starting in January 2024.