Nigeria, GPAP Promote Circular Economy Practices, Green Economy

The Federal Ministry of Environment has formed a collaborative partnership with Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) an initiative of the World economic forum to establish Nigeria National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) to maximize plastic waste potential to create a strong value chain while increasing the spike in waste recovery.

Nigeria has joined the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP), with other countries being [Ghana, Indonesia, and Vietnam] as the fourth country in the world to join the global plastic action partnership to address environmental concerns, particularly the pressing issue of plastic pollution.

This collaborative effort with GPAP will address plastic pollution in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector and promote circular economy practices and green economy in Industrial sectors while tackling plastic waste from production to consumption and reuse.

Also, this initiative will analyse the plastic waste scenario in Nigeria and promote inclusivity among key players in the value chain of Africa’s ballooning population which is buoyed by a rapidly growing market for consumer goods, and spike in post-consumer waste.

Obviously, Nigeria’s adoption of a circular economy to tackle plastic waste pollution will boost green economy growth for environmental sustainability and address pressing concerns of the plastic industry in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector to drive investments in the right direction.

The launch witnessed the presence of esteemed representatives from various high-profile organisations and government bodies, including the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Trade and Industry, NESERA, the Ambassador of Poland to Nigeria, UNIDO, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Lagos Business School, World Bank, and UNIDO, among others.

Earlier, the Federal Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Global plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) and World Economic Forum (WEF), operationalize the NPAP in Nigeria since June 2022 and this led to setting up a 23-member task force comprising stakeholders from various sectors, including government, private, formal, informal sectors, academia, and civil society groups.

Speaking on the sideline of the official launch of NPAP in Abuja, Minister of Environment, Abdullahi Hassan Mohammed expressed his support for the launch of the Nigeria National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP).

He highlighted Nigeria’s significant achievement of being the fourth country to join the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP), with the other countries being [Ghana, Indonesia, and Vietnam]. According to him, this shows Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to addressing environmental concerns, particularly the pressing issue of plastic pollution.

He said by actively participating in the GPAP, Nigeria demonstrates its determination to collaborate on a global scale and seek innovative solutions to tackle the menace of plastic pollution.

Represented by Charles Ikeah, he posited that the launch showcased Nigeria’s collaborative and collective efforts in engaging MDAs, international organizations, and the private sector to tackle plastic pollution effectively while calling on the involvement of individuals, communities, government, and the private sector to tackle plastic pollution.

In her opening remarks, Director of Resource Circularity at World Economic Formu(WEF), Kristin Hughes, commended the Ministry of Environment for its collaboration with the Nigeria National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP). While recognising Nigeria’s potential to lead Africa in tackling plastic pollution, Hughes emphasized the country’s understanding of the importance of global leadership, which led to its participation in the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP).

Also speaking, NPAP manager, Mr. Daniel Oderinde said, the Nigeria plastic scenario will bring the country to promote inclusivity for key players in the value chain and increase the spike of waste recovery noting that the partnership will catalyse financing for key players in the recycling space by upscaling innovation to provide financing for plastic waste collectors.