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Nigeria Tightens War on Plastic Waste, Makes Producers Responsible for End-of-Life Products

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Nigeria Tightens War on Plastic Waste, Makes Producers Responsible for End-of-Life Products

…NESREA unveils 2026 regulations as country generates 2.5m tonnes of plastic waste annually

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has unveiled new regulations to tackle Nigeria’s growing plastic waste crisis, placing greater responsibility on producers, importers and other businesses for the recovery and proper management of plastic products after use.

The National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations, 2026, unveiled by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), seek to move the country from a “make, use and throw away” system to a circular economy based on recovery, recycling and resource efficiency.

Nigeria generates an estimated 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, much of which ends up in drains, waterways and communities, contributing to environmental degradation, flooding and public health concerns.

Speaking at the Stakeholder Implementation Dialogue and inaugural multi-stakeholder roundtable on “Less Plastic in Water,” the Director-General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, said the regulations marked a shift from policy formulation to implementation.

“Today is significant because it marks a transition from policy intention to implementation,” he said.

Barikor said the success of the regulations would ultimately be measured by cleaner communities and waterways, increased plastic recovery, stronger recycling markets and greater accountability by producers.

At the centre of the new framework is the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principle, under which producers, importers and other businesses placing plastic products on the Nigerian market are expected to take responsibility for their products throughout their life cycle, including their recovery and environmentally sound management after use.

The regulations cover producers, importers, retailers, consumers, recyclers and waste managers, while introducing requirements relating to plastic shopping bags, recycled content and recycling facilities.

Certain plastic shopping bags below 80 microns in thickness are subject to regulation, while PET packaging will be required to contain at least 25 per cent recycled PET by January 2028, rising to 50 per cent thereafter.

Recycling facilities must also comply with prescribed environmental standards, while the production of plastics containing prohibited toxic substances will attract sanctions.

Businesses operating within regulated activities are required to obtain the necessary permits and registrations within the stipulated compliance period. Violations may attract financial penalties and, where applicable, imprisonment and personal liability.

The Chairman of the NESREA Governing Board, Hon. Garba Datti Muhammad, described plastic pollution as a major threat to waterways, livelihoods, communities and public health, stressing that effective implementation would require cooperation among government, industry, Producer Responsibility Organisations, recyclers, subnational authorities, development partners and citizens.

Barikor also identified the strengthening of the National Producer Registry as critical to enforcement, investment planning and measuring environmental performance.

“Data should not be viewed merely as an administrative requirement; it is the foundation upon which producer accountability, investment decisions, recovery systems and credible environmental outcomes can be built,” he said.

The government acknowledged the importance of plastics to healthcare, food preservation, agriculture, manufacturing and other sectors, stressing that the objective was not to eliminate plastic but to curb irresponsible production, consumption and disposal.

Particular attention is being paid to single-use plastics and sachet water, which millions of Nigerians rely on because of its affordability. Officials said alternatives must therefore be environmentally sustainable, affordable and accessible to vulnerable populations.

The “Less Plastic in Water” initiative is part of the Plastic Reboot Nigeria Project, a five-year programme supported by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Salihu Aminu Usman, said stronger implementation of EPR could stimulate investment in recycling, expand markets for recovered materials and create jobs.

He urged stakeholders to view discarded plastics not simply as waste but as potential raw materials for new industries.

Barikor stressed that tackling plastic pollution required coordinated action, saying: “No ministry can solve the plastic problem, no agency can solve it, no company can solve it.”

He warned that the regulations would only have meaning if backed by effective enforcement.

“A regulation without enforcement is merely a wish,” he said.

The focus now shifts to implementation, including producer registration, enforcement of EPR obligations, monitoring, improved waste recovery, investment in recycling infrastructure and the development of viable alternatives to avoidable single-use plastics.

If effectively enforced, the 2026 regulations could mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s environmental policy by making producers more accountable for the full life cycle of their products while transforming plastic waste into an economic resource.

Nigeria Tightens War on Plastic Waste, Makes Producers Responsible for End-of-Life Products

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Two Notorious Terrorist Leaders Haruna Balatoni and Black Neutralised in Plateau Military Offensive Another Fatally Wounded as Six AK-47 Rifles Returned

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Two Notorious Terrorist Leaders Haruna Balatoni and Black Neutralised in Plateau Military Offensive Another Fatally Wounded as Six AK-47 Rifles Returned

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have recorded major breakthroughs in ongoing offensive operations against armed criminal networks in Plateau State, neutralising two notorious terrorist leaders, critically wounding another and recovering six AK-47 rifles previously seized from security forces.

The latest developments followed sustained military offensives at Dajin Madam in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State on November 8, 2026.

Security sources disclosed that HUMINT reports received at about 8:53 a.m. on November 9 indicated that the intensity of the military operation had resulted in the neutralisation of two suspected terrorist leaders identified as Haruna Balatoni and Black.

Another notorious figure, identified as Dogo Mai Kunkuru, was reportedly shot in the chest and left in a critical condition, with sources indicating that his chances of survival were slim.

In a significant development on November 10, the sustained military pressure reportedly compelled the terrorist network, through an intermediary identified as Ali-Kwara, to return six AK-47 rifles previously seized from security forces.

The recovered weapons are currently in military custody.
In a related operation, troops of 173 Battalion deployed at Mansur rescued a kidnapped mother and her daughter and recovered 39 cattle.

The developments represent a significant disruption of the criminal network’s leadership, weapons stockpile and capacity to sustain operations in the Wase axis.
The recovery of the six rifles is particularly important as it restores weapons previously lost to the criminal network and provides an opportunity for further intelligence exploitation.

The latest successes underscore the impact of sustained offensive pressure, intelligence-driven operations and military presence in dismantling armed groups operating across Plateau State.

The reported deaths of the terrorist leaders and the condition of Dogo Mai Kunkuru are based on preliminary HUMINT assessments and remain subject to independent military confirmation

Two Notorious Terrorist Leaders Haruna Balatoni and Black Neutralised in Plateau Military Offensive Another Fatally Wounded as Six AK-47 Rifles Returned

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Troops Dislodge Terrorists from Hideouts in Taraba, Recover Five Motorcycles

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Troops Dislodge Terrorists from Hideouts in Taraba, Recover Five Motorcycles

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 114 Battalion (Reinforcement) have dislodged suspected terrorists from their hideouts during a fighting patrol in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The operation, conducted under Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), commenced at about 7:30 a.m. on November 8, 2026, with troops advancing towards Komodoro village, where they made contact with suspected terrorists.

Security sources said the criminals fled upon sighting the advancing troops, prompting the patrol team to extend its operation to Mashigin Kirya village within the same local government area.

At Mashigin Kirya, the troops encountered suspected terrorists believed to have been hibernating in the general area and engaged them, forcing the armed elements to retreat.
The troops subsequently recovered five motorcycles suspected to have been used by the criminal group for mobility and logistics.

To further disrupt the fleeing terrorists, the troops conducted a fire mission using an 81mm mortar along their withdrawal route.
The operation was ongoing as troops sustained pressure on suspected criminal hideouts and movement corridors in the area.

The development point to the military’s determination to deny armed groups safe havens and restrict their freedom of movement across Taraba State.

Troops Dislodge Terrorists from Hideouts in Taraba, Recover Five Motorcycles

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Two Fulani Herdsmen, 16 Cows Killed in Attack on Enugu Community as Joint Troops Launch Investigation

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Two Fulani Herdsmen, 16 Cows Killed in Attack on Enugu Community as Joint Troops Launch Investigation

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS), have launched an investigation into an attack on Fulani herdsmen in Obelagu Umuamba community, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, which left two herders and 16 cattle dead.

The incident came to light at about 11:00 a.m. on November 10, 2026, when a joint patrol team comprising troops of the 82 Division Garrison and 103 Battalion (Reinforcement), alongside police and DSS operatives, visited the community to assess the cause and extent of damage from the recent attack by suspected hoodlums.

On arrival, the security team discovered that two Fulani herdsmen and 16 cows had been killed, while two other persons sustained injuries.

Following the discovery, the troops convened a joint peace and security meeting involving community leaders, representatives of the Fulani herders, neighbourhood watch groups and other key stakeholders.

During the meeting, security officials cautioned all parties against taking the law into their hands, warning that reprisals could escalate tensions and further threaten peaceful coexistence.

The troops subsequently recovered the corpses and handed them over to the police for further investigation.

Meanwhile, security agencies have commenced efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack, including suspected local collaborators.

The intervention is aimed at preventing retaliatory violence, restoring confidence among residents and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.

Authorities have urged both farming and herding communities to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and pursue grievances through lawful channels.

Two Fulani Herdsmen, 16 Cows Killed in Attack on Enugu Community as Joint Troops Launch Investigation

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