The Federal Government has launched the National Waste Marketplace Programme, a digital platform designed to promote circular economy principles and modernise Nigeria’s waste management system.
Unveiling the initiative in Abuja, Minister of Environment Balarabe Lawal stated that the platform aims to convert waste streams into economic assets by connecting waste generators, collectors, aggregators, recyclers, and end-users in a transparent and traceable system.
Lawal explained that the programme aligns with the implementation framework of the National Policy on Solid Waste Management, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme, and the National Circular Economy Roadmap.
“By leveraging technology, the platform will create economic linkages across the recycling ecosystem while promoting environmental compliance, material recovery, and sustainable consumption patterns,” the minister said.
He noted that Nigeria loses millions of tonnes of recyclable materials, including plastics, metals, paper, glass, organics, and electrical waste, annually due to indiscriminate disposal and the absence of a structured waste value chain.
Speaking earlier, the Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. Innocent Barikor, stated that the programme would align with Nigeria’s commitments under global environmental agreements, such as the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Barikor commended the support of development partners, including the European Union, GIZ, UNDP, and UNIDO for their sustained collaboration in promoting circular economy and sustainable waste management practices in the country.
“As we launch the programme today, it stands as a demonstration of what is possible when government, the private sector, and citizens unite under one purpose – to turn waste into wealth, protect our environment, and secure a cleaner and healthier Nigeria for future generations,” he added.
