The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling environmental and health risks linked to improper disposal and recycling of used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) in Nigeria. It has pledged to crack down on illegal recycling operations and enforce stricter regulations to ensure safe and sustainable battery waste management.
Speaking at the International Conference on Upgrading the Lead-Acid Battery Recycling Sector in the African Region held on Tuesday in Abuja, Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, stressed the urgent need to regulate lead-acid battery recycling due to the severe health risks posed by unsafe practices. The event was organized by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADeV) and Oeko-Institut Germany.
Represented by Engr. Bahijjahtu Abubakar, Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, the Minister highlighted the growing challenge of lead poisoning from informal recycling operations amid Africa’s increasing demand for energy storage.
“The Federal Government fully recognizes the dangers of improper management of used lead-acid batteries and has taken proactive steps to regulate and modernize the sector,” Lawal stated. He announced the recent launch of the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulation 2024, which sets stringent guidelines for the collection, transportation, processing, and disposal of lead-acid batteries.
Dr. Innocent Barikor, Director General of NESREA, stressed the importance of a collaborative approach in managing battery waste. He noted that improper handling of lead-acid batteries has resulted in widespread soil and water contamination, air pollution, and health issues for workers and nearby communities. Barikor assured that NESREA will intensify monitoring efforts, enforce compliance with environmental laws, and shut down illegal recycling plants.
Terseer Ugbor, Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, called for urgent reforms in the battery recycling sector. He advocated for strategic policies to position Nigeria as a hub for battery recycling and manufacturing in Africa. Ugbor also recommended lifting the ban on used battery imports and granting concessions to companies with the capacity to recycle responsibly.
Joshua Yari Garba, Programme Component and Implementation Manager at GIZ, representing the German Ambassador to Nigeria, commended Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable battery recycling. He reaffirmed Germany’s support, noting that bilateral cooperation has reduced environmental hazards from battery waste, strengthened private sector involvement, and created employment opportunities, especially for women and youth.
“For over 50 years, Germany and Nigeria have collaborated on environmental initiatives, with Germany providing technical support for the transition to a green economy,” Garba said. He expressed hope that the conference would foster further collaboration to address environmental challenges and drive economic growth in Africa.
