Lagos State Enforces Ban on Single-Use Plastics, Despite MAN’s Plea

The Lagos State government has launched the enforcement of its ban on single-use plastics, effective July 1, 2025, targeting items like Styrofoam packs, plastic straws, lightweight nylon bags, and disposable cutlery.

The move, announced by Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab, aims to curb environmental pollution and protect Lagos’ fragile coastal ecosystem.

The ban, which focuses on non-biodegradable plastics below 40 microns, follows a six-month grace period that ended on June 30, 2025. Wahab emphasized that any shop, market, or outlet found storing, selling, or distributing these banned items will face immediate sealing and sanctions under Lagos State environmental laws.

“We gave a six-month grace period, which expired on June 30. Many believe we would succumb to pressure and delay enforcement. It will not happen,” Wahab declared during a press briefing in Lagos. This resolute stance underscores the state’s commitment to environmental sustainability and public safety.

The policy specifically targets four single-use plastic items: Styrofoam packs, plastic straws, lightweight nylon bags, and disposable cups and cutlery. These materials, notorious for clogging drainage channels and polluting Lagos’ waterways, pose a significant threat to the city’s infrastructure and ecosystem.

Wahab clarified that the ban does not encompass all plastic products, allowing producers and distributors to transport banned items outside Lagos. This provision aims to balance environmental goals with economic considerations, dismissing concerns about potential job losses.

“It’s a no-brainer—no jobs would be lost during this transition. In fact, more jobs will be created when producers and distributors embrace sustainable alternatives,” Wahab asserted. He highlighted that the shift to eco-friendly materials could spur innovation and economic opportunities.

Lagos’ initiative aligns with global trends, as over 70 countries, starting with Bangladesh in 2002, have implemented similar bans or restrictions on single-use plastics. The state’s policy reflects a growing global consensus on the need to address plastic pollution and its environmental consequences.

The environmental impact of single-use plastics in Lagos is profound, with Styrofoam and lightweight plastics frequently clogging drains and diverting public funds from critical social services to waste management. The ban aims to reduce waste generation and alleviate pressure on the city’s overburdened landfill sites, many of which are nearing decommissioning.

To ensure compliance, the Lagos State Government has adopted covert enforcement strategies, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to violations. Wahab emphasized that these measures are part of a broader strategy to promote sustainable waste management and protect the city’s infrastructure.

MAN Appealed Lagos Ban on Single-Use Plastics

Arbiterz had earlier reported that the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) raised significant concerns over the Lagos State Government’s planned ban on selected single-use plastics (SUPs).

In a press release and statement from the Director General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, MAN urged a reconsideration of the policy, highlighting its potential negative impacts on the economy, employment, and the livelihoods of many Nigerians.

The association acknowledged the environmental intent behind the ban, aimed at addressing the global challenge of plastic waste, but questioned the lack of comprehensive data supporting the decision.

MAN stated that an all-inclusive stakeholder consultation would have been essential for such a significant policy shift.

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