Single-use plastic ban Nigeria sparks concern as MAN urges government to suspend policy over risks to manufacturing, jobs, and economic stability

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the Federal Government and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to suspend the proposed ban on single-use plastics below 80 microns, warning that the policy could inflict significant economic strain on the manufacturing sector.

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The position comes amid growing debate over the implementation of the National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations 2026, which seek to prohibit the production and use of certain thin plastic products while introducing taxes on selected packaging materials.

The Single-Use Plastic Ban Nigeria proposal has drawn strong concern from manufacturers, who argue that the regulation may undermine industrial stability and investment confidence at a time when the sector is already facing inflationary pressures and rising production costs.

Speaking on behalf of the association, Director-General Segun Ajayi-Kadir warned that enforcing the 80-micron threshold would require major adjustments in production processes, machinery and raw materials, potentially rendering existing investments obsolete.

He cautioned that such changes could increase operational costs, reduce competitiveness and expose manufacturers to substantial financial losses, particularly for firms operating across Nigeria’s broad plastics value chain.

According to MAN, the plastics industry remains a critical segment of Nigeria’s light manufacturing base, supporting thousands of small and medium enterprises and linking key sectors including packaging, food processing, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and logistics.

The association further warned that any sharp increase in production costs would likely be passed on to consumers already grappling with inflation and declining purchasing power, potentially worsening economic hardship.

It also raised concerns that the policy could accelerate deindustrialisation by increasing reliance on imported alternatives, thereby undermining ongoing efforts toward industrialisation, job creation and export diversification.

Ajayi-Kadir noted that Nigeria already has a Plastic Circularity Roadmap developed in 2024 under the National Plastic Action Partnership in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, which focuses on recycling systems, Extended Producer Responsibility schemes and improved waste management infrastructure.

He expressed concern that key elements of the roadmap have not been fully implemented, questioning the rationale for introducing new prohibitive measures without first assessing existing policies.

MAN also argued that there is limited empirical evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of previous plastic restrictions in reducing environmental pollution or improving recycling outcomes in Nigeria.

Citing international examples, the association said that countries adopting outright bans have recorded mixed results, while those investing in recycling infrastructure and producer responsibility systems have achieved more sustainable outcomes.

The group maintained that plastic pollution should be addressed primarily through improved waste collection, recycling systems and environmental enforcement rather than production bans.

It therefore urged NESREA and the Federal Government to suspend the proposed regulation pending a comprehensive regulatory impact assessment and wider stakeholder consultation.

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MAN concluded that environmental sustainability must be pursued in a way that does not compromise industrial growth, employment or economic stability, stressing the need for a balanced and evidence-driven policy approach.