MAN laments plastic ban adverse effect on 89% of operators in Lagos

Director-General, MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir

MAN laments plastic ban adverse effect on 89% of operators in Lagos

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has raised the alarm that the planned ban on single-use plastics in Lagos State will wipe out the livelihoods of over 89 per cent of operators in the plastic value chain.

The Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, issued the warning in a statement on Monday, calling on the Lagos State Government to halt the ban and instead adopt more inclusive and evidence-based solutions.

Ajayi-Kadir said, “A recent MAN-supported study evaluating the possible impacts of the Lagos State SUPs ban revealed significant adverse economic, operational, and social implications across the value chain, from manufacturers to wholesalers, traders, and end users.

MAN laments plastic ban adverse effect on 89% of operators in Lagos.

“Over 89 per cent of operators in the plastic value chain depend on the trade of these SUPs as their main source of income, with no alternative source of livelihood, thus indicating that there will be a potential loss of livelihoods on the part of these dealers and their staff.”

He added that 100 per cent of manufacturers consulted in the study expressed concern that the policy would trigger mass workforce restructuring.

The Lagos State Ministry of Environment plans to enforce the ban on certain single-use plastics from July 1, 2025. However, MAN argued that the policy lacked both credible data and broad stakeholder consultation.

According to the MAN’s evaluation report, 89 per cent of dealers rely solely on trading in banned plastic items for their livelihood, and 93 per cent of these businesses, mostly women-led, say they have received no information or support to cushion the impact of the ban.

Ajayi-Kadir lamented that the government ban is taking the easy way out, without sufficient data background. “The government’s decision was not informed by credible data. It is out of tune with the reality of our socio-economic situation, and is bereft of more ingenious and beneficial solutions,” he stressed.

He maintained that plastic itself is not the problem, but rather the mismanagement of plastic waste. “It is the failure of management of plastic waste that may result in adverse environmental and social impacts,” he argued.

MAN also noted that rather than introducing a duplicative Lagos State Plastic Waste Fund, the government should strengthen the Extended Producer Responsibility Programme already in place, citing over 40 MAN member companies already subscribed to the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance.

Ajayi-Kadir criticised the state’s approach as reactionary and lacking sustainability, stating, “The ban focuses on the easiest approach to address the issue of plastic pollution, rather than the most sustainable approach, which gives balanced attention to social, economic, and environmental considerations.”

The group called attention to the economic consequences of a rushed transition. “There are no affordable and commercially available alternatives to the use of these SUPs for the trading of food and other items,” MAN’s DG said, warning that product integrity may be compromised and that the cost burden would be passed on to consumers.

He added that recyclers also stand to suffer due to the resulting shortage of feedstock for their plants and that manufacturers may lose export earnings and face disruptions in supply to other states and West African countries.

Ajayi-Kadir urged the Lagos State Government to draw lessons from the National Plastic Action Roadmap and the draft National Plastic Waste Control Regulation, which were developed through participatory processes and align with circular economy goals. He called for a systemic, evidence-based and inclusive approach to plastic waste management, rather than an outright ban.

MAN also demanded investments in infrastructure such as material recovery facilities, local recycling plants, and sustainable alternatives to plastics, stating, “Hampering our growing manufacturing industry with bans in the name of environmental protection is a major disservice to ourselves.”

Ajayi-Kadir stressed that Nigeria should prioritise job creation, circularity, and environmental reform tailored to local realities.

“The four pillars of the Decent Work Agenda of the International Labour Organisation – social dialogue, social protection, rights at work, and employment – must be at the centre of any policy implementation that the public sector is bringing on board,” he warned.

MAN urged the state government to discontinue the policy and instead collaborate with industry stakeholders to co-create reforms that align environmental priorities with industrial realities.

“We support the environmental intent of plastic waste management,” Ajayi-Kadir said. “We, however, believe this can only be achieved through policies that are inclusive, evidence-based, and sustainably implemented.

However, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Titilayo Oshodi, in an interview with The PUNCH, disagreed with MAN’s assessment.

She argued that the state government has been inclusive, stating, “It is improper for MAN to say that they have not been in dialogue. I think that there has been (dialogue), even at the time of the announcement regarding this ban. The policy gave a one-year moratorium such that dialogues can ensue and proper steps can be taken to avoid any form of depletion, wastage or loss in organisations, especially the ones that are in packaging, to make their projections and mop up all that they need to do.”

Report had it that the Lagos Minister of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, met with FBRA members in February to discuss modalities of the July 1 SUPs ban. A highlight of the meeting was the ministry’s pledge to engage stakeholders monthly and go on “advocacy with the association before the commencement of full enforcement.”

In March, Wahab noted that he had engaged the management of TETRA PAK West Africa Limited. In a post on X, the minister said, “This is about environmental responsibility. We have given ample time to align with global best practices. What is unacceptable elsewhere cannot become standard in Lagos. We must protect our future and do what is right for the greater good.”

In February 2024, the Lagos Waste Management Authority noted that it met with MAN to discuss “ways of implementing sustainable waste management strategies.” LAWMA engaged MAN shortly after the state banned Styrofoam packs in the state.