Civil society organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria have strongly condemned the federal government’s bid to import non-hazardous waste from the European Union (EU), warning that such a move could exacerbate the country’s waste management crisis.
The protest comes after Nigeria and 23 other non-OECD countries applied to the European Commission (EC) for inclusion on the list of nations eligible to import waste from the EU ahead of the 21 February deadline for applications.
In a joint statement, Nigerian environmental groups—including members of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Nigeria, Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF), Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN), Zero Waste Ambassadors (ZeWA), and Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI)—denounced the government’s involvement in what they termed “waste colonialism.”
A Waste Management Crisis
The CSOs highlighted Nigeria’s severe waste management challenges, noting that the country generates over 32 million tons of waste annually. Lagos alone produces about 13,000 metric tons daily, yet a significant portion remains uncollected, ending up in open dumpsites, drains, or being burned. This lack of proper waste management leads to severe environmental and public health hazards. “The informal waste sector plays a crucial role in waste collection and recycling, yet it operates with little recognition or support,” the CSOs said. “The lack of investment in environmentally sound management of waste, recycling facilities and more importantly reducing upstream plastic production, further worsens the situation, leaving Nigeria to bear the burden.” ”
Dr. Leslie Adogame, speaking on behalf of GAIA Nigeria members, emphasized the devastating impacts of poor waste management. “Plastics clog waterways, causing severe urban flooding, while open burning of waste releases toxic chemicals, leading to respiratory diseases. Additionally, landfill leachates contaminate soil and groundwater, posing long-term risks to food security and public health,” he said. He also pointed out the dire working conditions of informal waste pickers, who handle much of the country’s recycling without protective gear, exposing them to injuries and illnesses. “The uncontrolled disposal of waste also threatens biodiversity, as plastics and other pollutants harm marine and terrestrial ecosystems,” he added. As if not enough, Nigeria till date does not have any sanitary landfills to manage its increasing land based waste.
According to the obligations of the application to import waste from the EU – non-OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries must demonstrate their ability to manage the waste they wish to import from the EU in an environmentally sound manner under conditions equivalent to those applying in the EU. Such an equivalence ceases to exist as Nigeria continues to grapple with its current waste complexities and adversities.
Why Importing Waste is a Dangerous Move
Faith Paulinus, Coordinator of Zero Waste Ambassadors and Lead of Governance Reforms and Anti-Corruption at Policy Alert, questioned the rationale behind Nigeria’s application to import EU waste at a time when the country is grappling with weak enforcement of waste policies, limited recycling infrastructure, and low public awareness of sustainable waste practices. “The government struggles with inadequate funding for waste management programs, leaving Nigeria reliant on informal and often unsafe waste disposal methods,” he noted.
Echoing these concerns, the Executive Director of EDEN, Chima Williams warned that Nigeria’s waste management systems are already overwhelmed. “ Additional imports could overburden landfills, worsen pollution, and further strain our already inadequate recycling infrastructure. This influx could also discourage domestic waste reduction efforts such as the recent single-use plastic ban and undermine local recycling industries,” he cautioned. He added that weak enforcement of waste regulations raises the risk of mismanagement, leading to further environmental and health crises. “This decision contradicts Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable waste management and could turn the country into a dumping ground for Europe’s waste.”
Call to Action
The Executive Director of CODAF, Richard Benin reminded the government that Nigeria’s decision to increase its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) from 43% to 45% was partly due to commitments in the waste management sector. “Nigeria must ban waste imports and focus on managing local waste rather than becoming a dumping ground for foreign waste,” he stated. “The government should above all, commit to a global reduction target on plastic production within the context of the Global Plastics Treaty, invest in environmentally sound recycling infrastructure, strengthen waste reduction policies, support informal waste pickers, implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and promote public awareness campaigns on waste management and recycling.”
The CSOs urgently called on the government to reject the importation of waste and prioritize sustainable waste management strategies that empower local communities and safeguard public health. This is especially crucial in light of the EU’s upcoming ban on exporting plastic waste to non-OECD countries, set to take effect on 21 November 2026. Allowing such imports would essentially be an act of perjury.
More than 27 years later, it is high time that Nigeria ratifies and fully implements the Bamako Convention on the Ban of the Import into Africa and the Control of Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes not only the health of the environment, but that of her people
