Plastic pollution is a major problem in Nigeria.
Recent research has identified the country as a plastic pollution hotspot, second only to India. India releases 9.3 million tonnes of plastic into the environment every year – a fifth of the total. Nigeria produces 3.5 million tons annually.
How big is the issue and what can be done about it?
Conversation Africa has published various articles by academics about the country’s plastic pollution problem and how it should be tackled.
Plastic pollution in Nigeria
Temitope Sogbamu warned that plastic pollution is a serious problem in Nigeria and can be found wherever there is any human activity.
Pollution varies in size from macroplastic (pieces larger than 25 millimeters in diameter) to nanoplastic (less than 1,000 nanometers).
It comes in various forms, such as polyethylene terephthalate (used for packaging food, beverages, and personal care products), polyvinyl chloride (used in plumbing pipes, flooring, and clothing) and polystyrene (used in for food packaging, laboratory materials, toys and computer housing).
Read more: Plastic pollution in Nigeria is understudied but enough is known to drive action
These plastics are making their way into various environments, including Nigerian waterways.
A study led by Gideon Idowu found high levels of microplastics in the Osun River. This major river in southern Nigeria is an important source of water for the communities living around it, whether for irrigation or for personal use.
The study found as many as 22,079 pieces of microplastic in just one liter of water. These levels exceed those reported in 267 global studies of microplastics in river water conducted since 1994.
Read more: Microplastics in Nigeria’s Osun River: new study predicts high levels
Even recreational areas, such as the beaches of Nigeria, were not spared.
Ifenna Ilechukwu studied surface sediments from four beaches in Lagos. Plastic fragments and microplastics were found in all sediment samples collected from the beaches.
He explained that the high number of fragments suggests the degradation of larger plastic items from littering and poor waste management.
Read more: Lagos beaches have microplastic pollution problem
When microplastics enter ecosystems, they affect everything that lives in them.
Emmanuel Akindele’s research on microplastic pollution in the Osun River system found that small pieces of plastic are in snails.
The study – the first chemical identification of polymer types in African freshwater invertebrates – found different types of plastic present, including polyethylene, nylon and polypropylene, commonly used as shopping bags and lids. bottle.
Read more: Nigerian river snails carry more microplastics than Rhine snails
Another study by Akindele, which covered two important rivers and tributaries of the Gulf of Guinea, found the presence of microplastics in aquatic insects.
Insects are an important part of the food chain and so microplastic pollution is expected to affect other animals.
Read more: Why microplastics found in Nigeria’s freshwaters raise a red flag
Steps to address this
What can be done about this problem?
As early as 2024, the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Lagos State government have both announced a ban on single-use plastics. However, Temitope Sogbamu warned that the success of the ban depends on the provisions made for implementation. Nigeria has had a law in the pipeline banning single-use plastics since 2013. It has yet to be enacted at the national level.
Read more: Nigeria’s plastic ban: why it’s good and how it will work
Kehinde Allen-Taylor wants others to get involved in solving the problem. The researcher explored how companies can reduce plastic waste in Nigeria if they embrace all elements of corporate social responsibility. Sustainable practices also benefit business.
Read more: Plastic pollution in Nigeria: whose job is it to clean up the mess?
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