The United Nations has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria in its battle against plastic pollution, a growing environmental and public health concern in the country.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Mohamed Fall, made the pledge on Friday in Abuja while delivering the keynote address at a one-day sensitization campaign themed “Ending Plastic Pollution,” held to commemorate the 2025 World Environment Day.
The event was jointly organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), and other partners.
Fall described plastic pollution as a global crisis, warning that it poses grave threats to ecosystems, food safety, and human health. “Every piece of plastic that litters our environment or blocks our waterways undermines our ecosystem. Microplastics are even more dangerous, infiltrating our food systems and bodies,” he said.
He highlighted the UN’s multi-agency support to Nigeria, including UNDP’s work at national and state levels to promote inclusive waste management models, and UNIDO’s investment in environmentally sustainable industrial solutions.
Fall also underscored the UN’s collaboration with Green Hub Africa and NES in advocating for a global treaty to end plastic pollution. “This is not just an environmental issue—it’s a matter of public health, human dignity, and securing a sustainable future,” he added.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Osu Otu, Programme Officer at UNIDO Regional Hub in Abuja, lamented Nigeria’s ineffective waste management, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. He noted that plastics account for an estimated 13% of Nigeria’s total waste and urged the government to harness its potential for job creation and investment.
NES President, Dr. Efegbidiki Okobia, emphasized the need for better waste sorting and distribution systems. He said NES has evolved from awareness campaigns to actionable research and policy engagement, adding that ongoing partnerships with Green Hub Africa and the UN have enhanced efforts to combat plastic pollution effectively.
The campaign called for urgent collective action by governments, industries, and civil society to end plastic waste and promote sustainable environmental practices across Nigeria.
