Lagos Plastic Ban Threatens 89% of Value Chain Operators, Says Manufacturers Association of Nigeria

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has issued a strong caution against the Lagos State Government’s planned ban on certain single-use plastics (SUPs), warning that the policy could devastate livelihoods, particularly for small businesses and informal sector operators who rely heavily on the plastic trade for survival.

According to a statement released on Monday by MAN’s Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, a recent impact study commissioned by the association revealed that over 89 percent of operators in the plastic value chain depend entirely on single-use plastics as their primary source of income, with little to no alternative means of livelihood. The policy, he noted, could trigger a massive wave of unemployment and economic dislocation, especially among women and small-scale entrepreneurs.

Impending Ban and Its Timeline

The Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources has announced that the enforcement of the SUPs ban will begin on July 1, 2025, targeting items such as polystyrene food packs (commonly known as “takeaway packs”), disposable cups, and other non-biodegradable plastics. The initiative is part of the state’s broader strategy to combat plastic pollution and align with global environmental standards.

However, MAN insists that while the intention behind the policy may be noble, the implementation is fraught with gaps, including lack of data, inadequate stakeholder engagement, and disregard for socio-economic realities.

MAN: The Policy Lacks Inclusiveness and Feasibility

Ajayi-Kadir said,

“A rushed and unilateral implementation of this ban would disproportionately hurt local manufacturers, wholesalers, market traders, and everyday Lagosians. Many of these businesses are women-led, family-run, and already struggling to survive.”

He added that 100 percent of manufacturers surveyed in the MAN study expressed concern that the policy would likely lead to massive workforce downsizing, as they would no longer be able to sustain operations without a viable alternative to the banned materials.

The report also found that 93 percent of respondents — mostly informal traders and market-based sellers — reported receiving no official communication, guidance, or support on alternatives, or transition frameworks, since the ban was first announced.

Ajayi-Kadir further stated,

“The issue is not plastic itself but the management of plastic waste. Rather than imposing a blanket ban, the government should focus on building infrastructure for collection, recycling, and responsible disposal. A ban without alternatives is not reform — it is displacement.”

Plastic Waste Management: What’s the Alternative?

MAN urged the state government to rethink the establishment of a Lagos State Plastic Waste Fund, suggesting instead that existing programs such as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework — already subscribed to by over 40 member companies under the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) — be strengthened.

The association called for significant investments in material recovery facilities, local recycling plants, and sustainable alternatives to plastics before implementing any restrictive policies.

Ajayi-Kadir emphasized,

“Without proper groundwork, this policy will not only affect the economy negatively but also undermine existing efforts towards a circular economy. We must avoid reactionary policies that do more harm than good.”

He also warned of ripple effects across the wider economy, including:

• Job losses among recyclers due to reduced feedstock availability

• Export disruptions for manufacturers supplying products packaged in SUPs to other states and West African countries

• Increased cost of goods as traders turn to more expensive, and possibly less effective, packaging materials

Lagos State Responds: “We’ve Been Inclusive”

In response, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Titilayo Oshodi, countered the association’s claims of exclusion.

She stated,

“It is not correct for MAN to claim that there has been no dialogue. In fact, the government provided a one-year moratorium precisely to allow for such engagement. Stakeholders have been part of the process from the beginning.”

Oshodi also reiterated that the goal of the policy is not to punish businesses but to align Lagos with international best practices in environmental sustainability.

Her remarks were supported by public records showing that in February and March 2024, the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources met with FBRA, Tetra Pak West Africa, and MAN, among others, to discuss ways forward. The ministry pledged to conduct monthly stakeholder meetings and engage in joint public awareness campaigns before enforcement begins.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Environment Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab said:

“What is unacceptable in other global cities cannot be the norm in Lagos. The time for action is now. We must protect our environment and future generations.”

The Way Forward: A Call for Collaboration

MAN concluded its statement with a call for deeper collaboration. Ajayi-Kadir urged the Lagos State Government to draw from national frameworks such as the National Plastic Action Roadmap and the Draft National Plastic Waste Control Regulation, which were developed through participatory processes and emphasize circularity and job creation.

He warned that “banning our way through climate reform” is counterproductive, particularly for a developing economy with a fragile industrial base.

Quoting the Decent Work Agenda of the International Labour Organization (ILO), he said any government policy must be anchored on the pillars of social dialogue, social protection, rights at work, and employment.

“We fully support the environmental intent behind the plastic ban,” Ajayi-Kadir affirmed. “But we strongly believe that inclusive, data-driven, and sustainable approaches will better serve our shared goals — for the economy, the environment, and for the people of Lagos.”