The Federal Government is toeing the line of the Lagos State government to ban single-use plastics, says the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.
He disclosed this yesterday in Abuja during the inauguration of a committee to steer the policy.
On July 1, 2025, the Lagos State government began fully enforced its ban on single-use plastics (SUPs), citing environmental concerns as a coastal city with a high population density.
It banned styrofoam, plastic straws, disposable cups, and lightweight nylon bags, but excluded thicker nylon bags, PET bottles, and water sachets from the ban.
George Akume stated that the federal government’s push for the ban is inline with Nigeria’s commitment to global environmental standards.
He recalled said that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had during its meeting on June 25, 2024, approved the ban , specifically targeting ubiquitous items such as Polyethene Terephthalate (PET) bottles, styrofoam food packs, plastic shopping bags, sachet water packaging, and plastic straws.
“The inappropriate disposal of plastic materials is a major cause of marine pollution as well as land degradation. Plastic wastes take a longer time to decompose both on land and in water; therefore, they pose a serious threat to wildlife and public health due to the toxic chemicals,” he said.
