The Federal Government has launched a nationwide initiative aimed at ensuring the safe collection and recycling of small-sized waste batteries, marking a significant step in addressing a growing environmental challenge.
The programme, unveiled at the Federal Ministry of Environment’s Green Building in Abuja, introduces a structured system for managing discarded household batteries, including button cells, AA and AAA batteries, and lithium-ion units used in mobile phones and other portable devices.
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, described the initiative as a decisive intervention to bridge longstanding gaps in Nigeria’s waste management system. He noted that while larger batteries often attract recycling value, smaller units are frequently neglected and improperly disposed of, posing serious risks to human health and the environment.
“These small-sized batteries are deceptively dangerous. They are easily discarded, yet contain toxic substances capable of contaminating soil, water and food systems,” the minister said, adding that the initiative is designed to protect vulnerable populations, particularly women and children.
Central to the programme is the deployment of designated collection receptacles at strategic locations across the Federal Capital Territory, including markets, schools, offices and motor parks, to facilitate safe disposal at the point of use.
The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Alliance for Responsible Battery Recycling (ARBR), the Producer Responsibility Organisation for Nigeria’s battery sector under the Extended Producer Responsibility framework. Established in 2019, ARBR is responsible for coordinating the collection, transportation and environmentally compliant recycling of battery waste nationwide.
According to project coordinators, the increasing use of battery-powered devices has led to a surge in small battery waste, much of which currently ends up in general waste streams. These batteries contain hazardous materials such as cadmium, mercury, nickel, lithium and lead, which can pose environmental and health risks if not properly managed.
The programme also outlines a downstream process involving the transfer of collected batteries to central aggregation hubs before onward transportation to licensed recycling facilities, including export where necessary in line with national regulations. Key partners such as the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) are expected to support implementation.
The initiative is anchored on Nigeria’s National Policy on Battery Waste Management (2022) and the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulations (2024), both of which mandate responsible lifecycle management of batteries.
Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Innocent Barikor, said the launch underscores Nigeria’s commitment to global environmental obligations, including the Basel Convention on hazardous waste.
He noted that the rapid proliferation of battery-powered devices has created an expanding waste stream requiring urgent regulatory attention.
Stakeholders at the event commended the Federal Ministry of Environment for its leadership and highlighted the role of development partners in providing technical and financial support.
Experts also observed that the initiative could generate economic opportunities by integrating informal waste collectors into formal systems and advancing Nigeria’s circular economy agenda.
Officials urged Nigerians to adopt responsible disposal habits, stressing that public participation will be critical to the programme’s success.
The rollout is expected to begin in the Federal Capital Territory, with plans for expansion to other parts of the country in the near future.
