The French Government has called on Nigeria, other African nations, and the international community to mobilise resources, strengthen policies, and enhance cooperation to address the escalating threat of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.
This call was made by the Deputy Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Mr. Jean-François Hasperué, during a plastic waste awareness programme held on Wednesday at the French Institute in Abuja. The event is part of France’s broader initiative to support environmental sustainability and was organised in conjunction with the UN Ocean Conference currently underway in Nice, France, from June 9 to 13.
Ambassador Hasperué emphasized that plastic pollution poses one of the most urgent environmental challenges globally, with marine ecosystems experiencing the most severe impact—from visible floating debris to microplastics ingested by marine life. “Microplastics found in fish in the Lagos lagoon may end up in food consumed thousands of miles away. This is truly a global issue that requires a unified response,” he stated.
“A key focus at the UN conference is biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions (BBNJ), which for too long has lacked effective international cooperation. We anticipate that by the end of this week, the required 60 ratifications will be secured, allowing the BBNJ agreement to come into force on January 1, 2026.”
Hasperué also reiterated France’s commitment to building bottom-up and top-down partnerships to combat plastic pollution. He noted that France’s global strategy includes action both at the international level and through community-based initiatives, particularly in countries like Nigeria. “We are working with local governments, universities, and civil society organisations to translate global commitments into local solutions. In June alone, we are supporting 11 awareness activities across six Nigerian states, with the aim of engaging young people and empowering communities,” he said.
One such initiative is the French Embassy Fund for Plastic Recycling, which is supporting Nigerian universities in developing practical solutions to plastic waste management. The French Government is funding two plastic recycling microplants, to be installed at Nile University (Abuja) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG). In addition, a broader project involving five Nigerian universities is underway to scale up sustainable waste management practices. “We have committed €100,000 (approximately ₦750 million) to support these projects. The microplants will serve not just as recycling facilities but also as hubs for research, innovation, and student-led enterprise,” the Deputy Ambassador explained.
Mr. Sébastien Bede, Attaché for Scientific and Higher Education Cooperation at the French Embassy, added that the initiative includes technical training and capacity building in collaboration with Plastic Odyssey, an international organisation focused on circular economy solutions. “The approach is fully integrated—from collection and sorting to cleaning, grinding, and reprocessing into new materials. This provides both practical environmental impact and entrepreneurship opportunities for students,” Bede said.
As part of the programme, 17 Nigerian university students were honoured for their outstanding contributions in transforming plastic waste into economically viable innovations. These efforts are intended to inspire scalable, grassroots solutions that address both environmental degradation and youth unemployment.
The French Government reaffirmed its dedication to working with Nigerian institutions to support sustainable development goals, particularly in the areas of climate action, marine biodiversity protection, and circular economy innovation.
