This move could stir a storm in a country hugely dependent on plastics.

A recent study by the United States Agency for International Development found that Nigeria is among the world's top plastic polluters, generating over 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, and over 70% of which ends up in seas and landfill.

"If you look at the national policy on plastic waste management which was adopted in 2020, it envisaged that by 2025, some categories of plastic will be banned in Nigeria," Deputy Minister of Environment, Iziaq Salako said.

"What the Federal government is doing is preparing the minds of Nigerians for what is to come and leading by example," he said.
Most of the materials to be banned are single-use plastics including straws, cutlery, plastic bottles and small water sachets, which present a major issue for the country, he said.

--Reuters--