The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has warned that the planned ban on single-use plastics in Lagos State will lead to significant job losses and economic pain that could have far reach consequence for the state.
Segun Ajayi-Kadir, director general of MAN, issued the warning in a statement recently, calling on the Lagos State Government to halt the ban and instead adopt more inclusive and evidence-based solutions.
“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,” Kadir said.
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.
Speaking on the findings of the study, he explained that 100 percent of manufacturers consulted have expressed concern over a ban induced workforce restructuring, noting that there is no form of arrangement for social protection for employees who will lose their livelihoods owing to the ban.
Read also: MAN urges Lagos Govt. to reconsider plastic ban decision
He added that there has been no form of social dialogue on the part of the government with these workers or the industry on the potential job losses, noting that only poor and developing countries often tilt towards plastic ban as a strategy to combat environmental problems.
“Over 89 percent 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 livelihoods, thus indicating that there will be potential loss of livelihoods on the part of these dealers and their staff,” he said.
According to him, dealers, mostly women-led businesses, reported lack of clarity on the policy, with 93 percent noting that there is inadequate information on the plan to ban or any form of social protection provided to them to absorb the impact of the ban.
He said that recyclers decried that it will lead to a further reduction in the availability of feedstock for their recycling plants.
MAN’s director general urged the 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.
He also called for the investment in local production of sustainable materials, recycling plants, and improved waste collection systems to build a truly circular economy.
