The Federal Government has launched the National Waste Marketplace Programme (NWMP)—a transformative digital platform aimed at revolutionising waste management, promoting recycling, and driving green enterprise across Nigeria.
The landmark initiative was unveiled on Thursday in Abuja at a ceremony that drew key stakeholders from government, the private sector, academia, civil society, and international development partners, including the European Union (EU), GIZ, UNIDO, and UNDP.
Speaking at the event, Professor Innocent Barikor, representative of the Legal Business School Sustainability Centre, hailed the programme—developed by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA)—as a bold step toward aligning environmental sustainability with economic opportunity. “The National Waste Marketplace represents our national resolve to harness innovation and partnership for sustainable waste management and a thriving circular economy,” Barikor said. “It embodies the idea that waste, when properly managed, can drive growth, enterprise, and inclusion across society.”
In his keynote address, Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, described the platform as a “landmark innovation” that formalises Nigeria’s waste value chain and modernises operations within the circular economy framework. “Millions of tonnes of recyclable materials are lost annually due to poor disposal practices. This initiative will close that gap, creating economic linkages and unlocking value across the recycling ecosystem,” he stated.
The Minister noted that the NWMP aligns with several national and global frameworks, including the National Policy on Solid Waste Management, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme, National Circular Economy Roadmap, and international conventions such as the Basel Convention and the Paris Agreement.
He added that the programme advances the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu by connecting waste generators, recyclers, aggregators, and end-users in a transparent, traceable digital ecosystem.
Lawal also commended NESREA’s technology partner, Recycle Start Nigeria Limited, for developing the digital infrastructure that powers the platform. “The success of this programme demonstrates how regulatory reform, private sector participation, and technological innovation can converge to deliver both environmental and economic benefits,” he said, urging all stakeholders to take ownership of the initiative.
The platform enables efficient trading of recyclable materials while ensuring accountability and traceability throughout the waste management chain. It is also expected to generate employment, empower youth and small businesses, and attract investment into Nigeria’s circular economy. “This initiative gives practical expression to our aspiration for a cleaner, more prosperous Nigeria where waste becomes a driver of innovation and livelihoods,” Barikor added.
With strong support from development partners, the launch of the National Waste Marketplace Programme marks a pivotal step in Nigeria’s transition toward a sustainable circular economy—turning the nation’s waste challenge into a powerful engine for green growth.
