Lagos plastic ban impact could displace 89% of value chain operators, says MAN, urging inclusive alternatives and policy reform before July 1
The Lagos plastic ban impact will threaten the livelihoods of over 89 per cent of operators in the plastic value chain, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) warned on Monday, urging a rethink before the July 1 enforcement date.
In a strongly worded statement, the Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said the proposed ban on single-use plastics by the Lagos State Government lacked credible data, would devastate the local economy, and could displace thousands of small-scale operators.
“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 traders and end users,” Ajayi-Kadir said.
He disclosed that 100 per cent of manufacturers surveyed warned the ban could lead to mass workforce restructuring, while 93 per cent of plastic traders—many of them women—had not received any guidance or support from the government to transition.
Ajayi-Kadir maintained that plastics are not inherently the problem, but the mismanagement of plastic waste.
He proposed strengthening the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme already in place and investing in recycling infrastructure instead of banning products.
He also faulted the planned introduction of a new Lagos State Plastic Waste Fund, describing it as a duplication of effort, while highlighting MAN member companies’ ongoing commitment to the existing Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA).
Over 89 per cent of operators rely on single-use plastics for their income. The ban, without alternatives, will destroy livelihoods.
“There are no affordable, commercially viable alternatives for food and goods packaging currently. This rushed policy will hit the informal sector hardest and force price hikes on consumers,” he warned.
Ajayi-Kadir urged the government to embrace lessons from the National Plastic Action Roadmap and proposed National Plastic Waste Control Regulation, which focus on circular economy principles and were developed through inclusive consultation.
He added that Nigeria must strike a balance between environmental protection and economic realities. “We must avoid hampering our manufacturing growth under the guise of reform,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Titilayo Oshodi, disagreed with MAN’s assessment, saying the state had engaged stakeholders since the announcement and granted a one-year moratorium for adaptation.
In February and March 2024, the Lagos Ministry of Environment held consultations with FBRA and packaging firms such as Tetra Pak, pledging continued monthly engagement and public awareness campaigns ahead of full enforcement.
Despite this, MAN insisted the pace and structure of the ban risk displacing thousands, disrupting supply chains, and harming national export flows.
The association called for collaborative reforms that balance industry needs with environmental goals.
