The challenge of plastic pollution in Nigeria

Globally, land- and marine-based plastic pollution are causing severe ecological problems with potential risks to human health. In Nigeria, the growing production of single-use plastics and the uncontrolled release of plastic debris onto the land and marine habitats are facilitating widespread plastic pollution. In this chapter, we critically review and summarize the sources, causes, and consequences of plastic pollution in Nigeria and suggest some priorities for future policy and research. Over 60 million plastic sachet water bags are consumed and disposed of daily in Nigeria, and single-use plastic shopping bags and takeaway packs are ubiquitous. These plastic sachets, single-carrier bags, and other disposable plastic products end up on the land and in the marine environment because of indiscriminate disposal and the popular social practice of dumping waste on the roadside, under bridges, and in drainage channels (gutters) during periods of rainfall. Therefore, some litter the streets, while others end up in the marine ecosystem. Nigeria is widely reported as having released up to 0.34 million tonnes of plastic debris into the ocean in 2010 and was ranked the ninth country in the world for pollution of marine environments. Waste management habits/behavior facilitate indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste, which in turn exacerbates plastic pollution in Nigeria. A lack of awareness of the environmental and potential health risks of plastic pollution, the poor resourcing of waste management and recycling infrastructure, an unskilled/inadequate waste collection workforce, and untimely litter collection potentially exacerbate the scale of the problem. There is a need to change the political and social will in Nigeria, and regulation of single-use shopping bags through taxes/levies and refillable sachet water bags could be introduced. Media programs and special education, focused on societal values and an awareness/knowledge of the causes of plastic pollution, should be designed. Investing in waste collection and recycling infrastructure should be prioritized. Interdisciplinary research to determine the extent to which macro- and micro/nanoplastics pollutions are present in Nigerian land and marine environments should be conducted to facilitate health and environmental decision-making and policies.