Midway through the Plastics Treaty negotiations scheduled to end on Thursday August 14, 2025, the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), a global network of NGOs dedicated to the common aim of eliminating pollutants, has said that concerns for the threats to human health from toxic plastic chemicals are widely shared by delegates as momentum grows for a Treaty with global controls on harmful chemicals.
Over 80 countries, mostly members of the African Group of Negotiators, have endorsed a proposal by Switzerland and Mexico that outlines ways to protect human health from hazardous plastic chemicals through global controls.
IPEN members at the ongoing INC-5.2 in Geneva
After years of stalled negotiations with just few days left to agree on a strong legally binding instrument, the stocktake plenary on Friday, August 8, was deemed a critical moment for the INC-5.2 Chair and Member States to turn things around by calling for a vote, in order to forestall the consensus-based decision-making by a few big oil and plastics producing countries blocking the process.
However, while many high ambitious countries expressed frustration at the lack of progress, African region and its negotiators remain resolute and strong together on their demands.
“So far, the INC negotiation process is broken, we are currently in damage-control mode particularly the failure for a vote against consensus, which has continued to place plastic treaty process into uncertainty towards an ambitious landing zone and a strong Treaty,” said Dr Leslie Adogame, Executive Director of SRADeV Nigeria.
However, progress toward an agreement appears slow, primarily due to “obstructive tactics” by oil producing nations. These countries have allegedly manipulated the consensus process to block the majority of countries that favour a Treaty that includes protections for health and the environment.
IPEN and SRADeV Nigeria (IPEN participating organisation) have called for procedural changes that were adopted by previous multilateral environmental agreements to allow voting when consensus cannot be attained.
“It is worrisome that at this stage of the negotiation, members states are still stuck with over bloated text full of brackets, there remains more divergent views than anticipated convergence text at the final negotiations of the Treaty, it is time to break the procedural deadlock,” said Dr Adogame.
“As the negotiations continue, we urge delegates to remember the mandate: to end plastic pollution and protect human health and the environment, throughout the full life cycle of plastics,” said Yuyun Ismawati, IPEN Co-chair and Co-founder of Nexus3 Foundation in Indonesia.
“As plastic production is forecast to triple in the coming decades, the only way to meet this goal is through limiting plastic production and controlling toxic plastic chemicals. A meaningful Plastic Treaty is urgently needed to resolve the plastics crisis,” added Ismawati.
IPEN and its member organisation have declared support for the proposal from Switzerland and Mexico as a positive step toward protecting health and the environment from toxic plastic chemicals. The proposal calls for an article in the Treaty (Article 3) to outline how plastic chemicals that pose health, and environmental threats can be globally regulated.
The proposal is said to be consistent with other global conventions that have a track record of success in creating global controls on toxic chemicals, such as the Stockholm and Basel Conventions, and includes:
A mechanism creating an initial list of hazardous plastic chemicals (“chemicals of concern”), with means for updating the list as new science on toxicity evolves;
Methods for transparency and traceability of chemicals of concern in plastic products;
Global, legally binding obligations.
While an important step, IPEN/SRADeV Nigeria notes the proposal could be strengthened with a broader focus that is not limited to plastic products but covers plastics as a material that creates toxic threats throughout its life cycle.
IPEN has expressed concern about the stalling tactics of oil-producing nations and procedural barriers that have blocked vital observers from participating meaningfully in many discussions. Scientists, Indigenous Peoples, labor sector representatives, and other stakeholders who have vital information and perspectives are said to have been denied access through closed-door discussions and inadequate meeting spaces.
“IPEN members from around the world bring the perspectives of those who are most directly harmed by plastics to the Treaty negotiations. The Treaty deliberations must be open and accessible to include these voices who know first-hand how toxic plastics can affect human health and the right to a healthy environment we all deserve,” said Pamela Miller, IPEN Co-chair and Executive Director of Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT). “We stand committed to hold negotiators accountable for a Plastics Treaty that achieves the health protections we all need and deserve.”
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) on August 5, 2025, hosted young professionals from Nigeria and other African countries at its offices in Lagos, as it continues to support the growth of future leaders in the energy industry on the continent.
The 25 engineers and geologists from Nigeria, Cameroun, Chad, Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, Angola and Uganda, were part of the Africa Young Professionals programme attending the Nigeria annual international conference and exhibition (NAICE) of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in Lagos last week.
SNEPCo leadership and staff welcomed the 2025 Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Africa Young Professionals during a courtesy visit to Shell Headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria
They visited SNEPCo to learn more about the operations of a company which launched Nigeria into the league of deep-water producers in 2005, when it began production at Bonga, the country’s first oil and gas project in water depths of more than 1,000 metres.
Receiving the visitors on behalf of Managing Director Ronald Adams, General Manager Emerging Projects, Olaposi Fadahunsi, highlighted the various Shell sponsorship and scholarship initiatives to develop young talents in collaboration with the SPE, and urged them to take advantage of the opportunities in their career aspirations.
Among other presentations & briefings on SNEPCo’s strides on production optimisation, digitalisation and automation, proactive reservoir management, field safety and front-end work planning and scheduling, the General Manager, Deepwater Oil Portfolio, Iyke Nnoaham, spoke on career growth and strategic decision making for young professionals.
The professionals expressed appreciation for the “engaging and inspiring” discussions.
SNEPCo says it has been contributing to the development of talents and young professionals in the energy industry through the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) which has proved popular with Nigerian undergraduates, as they acquire practical knowledge and skills and build vital professional networks during the six-month internship.
The latest batch of 28 interns from 17 universities is currently serving in different operational units in the company.
TotalEnergies has said Nigeria’s present and future energy sustainability does not rest on just hydrocarbon but also human resources development.
This was revealed by the Deputy Managing Director, Deepwater Asset, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria, Victor Bandele, on Wednesday, August 6, while contributing to the theme “Governance and Structuring Human Resources Strategy for Sustainable Energy Future” on the 2nd panel of the just-concluded Society of Petroleum Engineers’ (SPE) 2025 Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) held in Lagos.
TotalEnergies
During his presentation, Bandele referenced its graduate trainee programme in partnership with the Institute of Petroleum and Energy Studies (IPES), currently running at the University of Port Harcourt.
The company’s IPES is a programme focused on developing human capacity and equipping youth with skills for the oil and gas industry.
He said one of the pillars on which its more than 63 years of footprint in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry rests is the importance it attaches to human resource development.
According to him, sustainability in the company’s operations means deliberate inclusion of people as a means of meeting today’s energy requirements, while also preparing for future energy needs and targets.
“Over the years, TotalEnergies has kept the IPES alive through financial sponsorship. And as we speak, all our directors are mentors at the institute where graduates are trained as professionals. About 40 graduates of the school are currently employees of TotalEnergies, while others work in other companies in Nigeria.
“Some of them are even expatriates outside the country. This is because we believe so much in people, and we keep adapting learnings at the school to meet today’s energy challenges, while also preparing them for the future,” he said.
“At TotalEnergies, we believe that sustainability does not rest on only old knowledge. We also have to configure past knowledge to sustain us in the future, and that is why training youths must be at the heart of national development. The oil and gas industry must look inwards to see that youth are carried along.
“Our educational policies must be tied to energy transition because it is not the skills needed now that will be required in the future,” Bandele added.
While speaking earlier, Chairperson, SPE Nigeria Council, Amina Danmadami, said a sustainable energy future required a holistic approach that required intentional leadership.
“Nigeria has found itself at a crossroads where, through bold leadership, the energy landscape must be reshaped.
“The future of energy is neither here nor there. It is neither leaner nor predetermined. It will be shaped mainly by investments and sound leadership. It must be repositioned to be inclusive of all stakeholders and must be deepened through strategic engagements across boards and the globe,” she said.
The 2025 edition of SPE NAICE provided an expansive platform for knowledge-sharing, technical collaboration, and strategic foresight. It featured two high-level leadership panel sessions, over 80 exhibiting companies, and multiple tracks focused on gas monetisation, pipeline reliability, infrastructure optimisation, and digital transformation. Special attention was given to national priorities like asset divestment, local capacity development, and environmental stewardship.
Themed “Building a Sustainable Energy Future: Leveraging Technology, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and Policy”, the conference brought together industry regulators, upstream/midstream/downstream operators, financiers, oil/gas interest groups, the media, and industry observers, amongst others.
Dangote Refinery CNG trucks
In a related development, Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has commenced the receipt of 4,000 compressed natural gas powered trucks, an integral part of its fuel distribution logistics programme set to start on August 15.
The initiative aims to transform the fuel distribution landscape within Nigeria by reducing logistics costs and enhancing supply efficiency for customers.
The fleet of fuel tankers, being imported through Apapa Port, represents a significant capital investment estimated at N720 billion. This expenditure underscores the company’s commitment to pioneering innovative solutions as the world’s largest single-train refinery continues to expand its operational capabilities.
The first consignment of trucks recently departed Apapa Port and was formally received at the refinery site in Ibeju-Lekki by Vice-President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Ltd, Devakumar Edwin. The arrival was met with enthusiasm from refinery personnel and customers alike, many of whom were present to witness the tangible progress towards improved fuel accessibility.
Members of the public who observed the convoy’s journey from Apapa to Ibeju-Lekki expressed commendation for Dangote’s proactive approach in addressing the chronic logistics challenges that have long impeded the downstream sector.
Speaking on the rollout, Group Chief of Branding and Communication, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Anthony Chiejina, provided further insights into the implementation strategy:
“The commencement of the initiative marks a groundbreaking development in Nigeria’s fuel distribution network. Given the complexities inherent in global supply chains, the delivery of these specialised CNG-powered tankers is indeed commendable. This approach ensures that we maintain operational efficiency while scaling up the fleet.
“Our unwavering commitment to this programme is reflected in our ongoing collaboration with key regulatory bodies and stakeholders to facilitate seamless deployment. We believe this initiative will significantly lower distribution costs and improve fuel availability for our customers nationwide.”
He added that over the next six weeks, the refinery expects at least 60 shiploads of these trucks to arrive in the country.
This innovative distribution model is expected to catalyse efficiency gains across Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, fostering greater transparency, reducing transportation bottlenecks, and ultimately enhancing energy security for the nation.
In June, Dangote Petroleum Refinery revealed a landmark investment exceeding N720 billion to deploy 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks across Nigeria for the nationwide distribution of petroleum products. This bold initiative is projected to save Nigerians over N1.7 trillion annually in fuel distribution costs.
The privately owned refinery will absorb more than N1.07 trillion every year in fuel logistics expenses. The scheme is expected to significantly benefit over 42 million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by lowering energy costs and improving profitability.
This strategic programme is part of Dangote’s broader commitment to eliminating logistics bottlenecks, enhancing energy efficiency, promoting environmental sustainability, and supporting Nigeria’s economic development. Lower fuel distribution costs will reduce production expenses, alleviate inflationary pressures, and stimulate overall economic growth.
The initiative is also expected to revitalise dormant filling stations, creating over 15,000 direct jobs across the logistics value chain, including positions for drivers, station managers, and attendants at the new CNG stations.
Moreover, the refinery said that the programme would help curb cross-border smuggling of petroleum products while supporting a more efficient and environmentally friendly distribution system.
Commercial Coordinator of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), Tosin Coker, commended the move:
“Dangote Group’s acquisition of 4,000 CNG trucks is not only impressive in scale but also highly strategic,” he said. “It signals to the market that CNG is no longer a distant prospect but a current, practical solution to high energy costs, emissions, and supply chain challenges. PCNGI regards this as a milestone achievement in our efforts to accelerate gas-powered transport adoption.”
Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has noted with concern the recent remarks made by Mahmood Adegbite, Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, acknowledging that residents of the Lekki Peninsula are “probably drinking what I will call ‘shit water’” due to contaminated boreholes.
In a statement on Sunday, August 10, 2025, CAPPA noted that, while the bluntness of the statement has drawn attention, it is the underlying failure it exposes that should concern all Lagosians.
Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab
“The government is bad-mouthing a crisis it manufactured. Boreholes and even dug wells in Lagos are not luxury choices for residents. They are a survival response, and the last resort of a people forced to become their own service providers while public institutions fail to meet this basic need.
“For decades residents of Lekki and indeed much of Lagos State have been left with no choice but to rely on unsafe, self-supplied water through boreholes, due to the government’s inability to provide reliable and affordable public water. That the Lagos State Government is now openly admitting the severe health risks this poses, without accepting responsibility is as dishonest as it is troubling,” the organisation observed.
CAPPA argued that rather than mock residents for drilling boreholes, the government must first confront the root cause, which is the chronic neglect of Lagos’ public water infrastructure that has now left many Lagosians depending on all kinds of “shit water” for their daily existence.
The statement pointed out that the problem of faecal contamination, poor wastewater management, and untreated sewage is not new, but “are symptoms of a water governance and sanitation system that has been deliberately left to rot, while decision-makers flirt with discredited privatisation models that place profit above people. What is missing is not a diagnosis of the problem, but a comprehensive, transparent, and publicly accountable plan to fix it.”
CAPPA stressed that it has repeatedly raised the alarm about Lagos’ crippling underinvestment in public water infrastructure, the lack of transparency in water governance, and the persistent attempts to impose private sector-led water models – many of which have failed in other parts of the globe. It added that the government now appears to be reviving market-based water reforms without public consultation or accountability, warning that Lagos cannot continue down this road.
“You cannot neglect your constitutional duty for decades, then turn around to shame people for doing what they must to survive,” said Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA.
“When the state cannot provide clean and safe water, people will do what they must to survive. The question we must ask is: What is the Lagos State Government doing to ensure that its citizens no longer have to drink contaminated water, or live in fear of the next outbreak of disease?”
The group called for urgent and dedicated public investment in water and sanitation, suspension of all market-based reforms, and adoption of a publicly led, community-focused water governance framework. It urged the Lagos state government to convene residents, civil society, and relevant experts in an open and transparent process to co-develop a people-centred water policy.
It further demanded a state-wide emergency plan that targets underserved communities, repair broken wastewater systems, and integrate climate-resilient approaches to water access and drainage.
The organisation noted that while regulation of indiscriminate borehole drilling is important, “it cannot happen without first providing viable and accessible public water alternatives.”
“Lagosians are not to blame for drinking unsafe water. They are victims of policy failure. This failure must be acknowledged and corrected not weaponised to justify even more anti-people reforms,” it concluded.
Three South-South states – Edo, Bayelsa, and Delta – say they are taking bold steps to implement Nigeria’s decentralised electricity policy and entrench local government autonomy, signalling a shift in how subnational governments manage critical infrastructure and grassroots governance.
A survey shows that the three states have domesticated key provisions of the Federal Government’s unbundling of the power sector.
Power station
The action moves electricity generation and distribution from the exclusive to the concurrent legislative list.
This change allows states to establish their own electricity markets, license operators, and directly invest in power projects.
The states also claimed that their local government councils now enjoyed greater financial and administrative independence, although stakeholders gave mixed assessments of how far-reaching these reforms have been.
Mr. Bugie Okhuemoi, Special Adviser on Media to Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo, said the state was leading in implementing the Federal Government’s decentralisation policy, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“To actualise this vision, Gov. Okpebholo recently signed the Edo State Electricity Bill 2025 into law, formally establishing a framework for state-regulated electricity operations.
“This historic legislation enables Edo to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity independently, breaking the state’s dependence on the national grid.
“In line with the new law, the Edo State Electricity Regulatory Commission has been established to monitor, license, and supervise electricity-related activities across the state.
“The commission will work closely with the newly formed Edo State Electricity Advisory Council, comprising technical experts, investors, and energy stakeholders.
“Together, these institutions will provide strategic guidance, ensure transparency, and build investor confidence in Edo’s electricity market through structured and predictable regulatory mechanisms,” Okhuemoi said.
The governor’s aide said that this structure would improve service delivery, reduce outages, enhance operational efficiency, and boost internal revenue through licensing fees, tariffs, and public-private energy partnerships.
According to him, the state plans to invest in independent power projects (IPPs) for residential, commercial, and industrial use, while attracting private sector investment through policy incentives and streamlined regulations.
“Governor Okpebholo’s administration believes that access to reliable electricity is fundamental to economic development, job creation, digital innovation, and the overall quality of life.
“Edo State is now positioning itself as an energy hub in the South-South.
“This marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s federal structure, where states are becoming engines of growth, empowered to solve challenges at the local level.
“With both legislative and energy autonomy now in place, Edo is paving the way for a more self-reliant, progressive, and responsive model of subnational governance,” he concluded.
On local government autonomy, Obosa Ogbeide, Executive Chairman, Ikpoba Okha Local Government of the state, said that the 18 local government councils were enjoying independence.
According to him, what is happening is that the money comes through the state to the local government councils.
“So, whether it comes directly or through the state, it is the same thing.”
However, Solomon Idiogbe, a civil society activist, described Nigeria’s policies as one without action, lamenting Nigeria’s failed implementation strategies.
Idiogbe insisted that Nigeria’s major challenge was not policy formulation but the lack of genuine strategies for effective implementation.
He argued that the country was building strong individuals rather than strong institutions capable of enforcing and sustaining the policies already developed.
Idiogbe stated that Nigeria’s decentralisation of power generation and distribution was not new, yet meaningful implementation had remained elusive due to entrenched political interests.
“We have heard of deregulation and decentralisation for decades, yet the same policymakers manipulate the markets and determine tariffs that affect millions of citizens,” he said.
According to him, there is no genuine commitment to reforms; policies only exist on paper to maintain poverty and keep the populace under political control.
“The terms deregulation, privatisation, and decentralisation mean nothing to Nigerian politicians; these buzzwords are often tools of deception.
Sharing his views on local government autonomy, Idiogbe noted that state-level political actors still determined who became council chairman, limiting the impact of any local government reform.
The civil society activist emphasised that as long as policymakers controlled party delegates and dictated who become chairmen, there could be no true autonomy or free and fair elections at any level of governance in Nigeria.
On legislative autonomy, immediate past deputy speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, Maria Oligbi-Edeko, described the current situation in the Edo assembly as a defining milestone in the state’s democratic evolution.
Oligbi-Edeko emphasised the importance of the law, noting that autonomy empowered the Assembly to function independently, enhancing accountability, transparency, and balanced governance within the democratic framework.
“The autonomy signed into law in Edo is a legal victory; it was a transformative breakthrough enabling lawmakers to act in citizens’ best interests, free from undue executive influence,” she explained.
Oligbi-Edeko further stated that change had allowed legislative decisions to reflect public needs more accurately, creating a stronger, more participatory model of governance.
She affirmed that the autonomy would endure as a democratic legacy, continuing to benefit future assemblies, lawmakers, and the people of Edo State for years to come.
“This reform redefined how power is shared.
“It moved us away from dependency, allowing lawmakers to boldly engage, question, and act in full service of the electorate.
“With this autonomy, the assembly now operates with dignity and independence,” she added.
According to her, autonomy sends a powerful message that democracy belongs to the people, not just to politicians.
In Bayelsa, stakeholders said the state government did not interfere with local government funds, though allocations still pass through the state treasury.
A former councillor in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state, Ezibeya Sinizine, said this arrangement had not hindered council chairmen from executing projects, citing a 30-bed primary health centre built in Yenagoa LGA.
“This autonomy has enabled council chairmen to execute projects like the Biseni health centre, roads in Yenagoa, and works across almost all the LGAs in Bayelsa,” Sinizine said.
He insisted that this state government only supervised the third tier of government, observing, however, that council chairmen were yet to start receiving their allocation directly from the federation account.
On electricity reform, Olice Kemenanabo, Managing Director, Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd, said work was underway on a newly acquired 60MW gas turbine to guarantee steady power.
“As we speak, we have started installing new poles and towers that will enable us distribute power from the gas turbines to Bayelsa people, as promised by the governor.
“And so with the level of work already done, we are very optimistic that going by the governor’s promise, that we are going to complete installation of the new 60mw gas turbines and supply electricity to the people this year,” he said.
Kemenanabo projected that, upon completion, the project would improve the investment climate and attract businesses to the state.
In Delta, the state government said it would implement a decentralised mini-grid model to boost resilience in electricity supply.
Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, State’s Commissioner for Economic Planning, said the domestication of the 2023 Electricity Act in the state had provided the legal basis for the initiative.
“With the mini-grid approach, if an outage occurs in one part of the state, it will not affect other areas,” he explained.
He added that the model allowed operators to tailor energy solutions to the resources available in their zones – from gas to solar and hydro.
The commissioner disclosed that the State Executive Council had approved the creation of the Delta State Electricity Commission as regulator.
He said this state also established a Rural Electricity Agency to serve under-served communities, and technical and market operators to ensure minimum electricity hours and track supply data.
The approach, he said, differed significantly from the conventional centralised grid, which often left the entire regions in darkness when there was a failure at a single point in the system.
Ekedayen added that the entire electricity reform would be privately funded, with the state government providing only the regulatory framework and the enabling environment.
“This is a private sector-driven initiative. Our role is to set the rules, ensure fairness, and create the atmosphere for investment and innovation to thrive,” he explained.
“The commission will be responsible for issuing licences, monitoring compliance, and mediating between operators and consumers,” he said.
“In addition, the state has created the role of a System Operator to oversee the technical coordination of generation and supply processes, and a Market Operator who will track supply data, enforce service standards, and ensure that minimum electricity hours are delivered to homes and businesses.”
Ekedayen announced that a consultant would also be appointed to help midwife the electricity transition process, providing expert guidance and assisting in the creation of a robust implementation roadmap.
He acknowledged that while electricity market reform was still new territory for many sub-national governments, but said Delta remained committed to getting it right.
“Only a few states in Nigeria have dared to venture this far. But we are determined to deliver not just electricity, but a system that works, one that creates jobs, supports industry, and improves the quality of life for our people,” he said.
The Commissioner said that the journey would be deliberate and methodical to avoid costly mistakes, but always with the people’s best interests at the core of every decision.
He described the latest council approvals as the formal birth of the Delta State Electricity Market and expressed optimism that the business and manufacturing sectors would welcome the initiative with enthusiasm.
“With this, we are confident that Delta is on course to becoming a model for sub-national electricity transformation in Nigeria,” Ekedayen said.
Sharing a similar sentiment, Mr. Sunday Tataobuzuogwu, State’s Commissioner for Energy, said Delta’s large gas reserves were a magnet for investors, while solar mini-grids were planned for riverine and off-grid areas.
“Aince it is easier and cheaper to get gas in the state as opposed to outside the state, availability of power in the state will no doubt drive economic activities and very soon Delta will become the investment hub of Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, in the past two years of the Oborevwori’s administration, most communities have night life because of the government’s intervention in lighting up of such communities through the installation of street lights.
“The government has powered up roundabout vicinities and provided lights in the markets, thereby enhancing economic activities in those areas,” he explained.
He said the ministry of energy had supplied transformers to many communities across the state and was still buying more transformers to ensure as many communities as possible get connected to a power source.
He asserted that plans were underway to provide electricity in hard-to-reach areas through the roll out of solar mini-grids, especially in riverine and off-grid locations to cater for the underserved populace.
He added, however, that electricity consumers should be ready to pay for power consumed as the government would not subsidise the cost of power.
In his part, Mr. Emmanuel Ofodu, an expert in the power sector, said the mini-grid model approach of the state government would leverage on the resource availability in various community to address their power need.
According to him, there are areas where investors may adopt wind energy and other renewable sources to breach the gap all in a bid to provide sustainable electricity for the people.
Some Lagos residents have expressed concerns over the wide usage of Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) across markets, parties and retail spaces in the state in spite of the recent ban.
They expressed their concerns in separate interviews on Sunday, August 10, 2025, in Lagos.
Single-use plastics
Our correspondent who monitored the compliance in some areas of the state observed that nylon bags, plastic spoons, and other SUPs remain commonplace, particularly in areas such as Ikotun, Ayobo, Okota, Ajao Estate, Ajah and Iyana Ipaja, among others.
The Lagos State Government on July 1, 2025, commenced full enforcement of SUPs below 40 microns.
The enforcement followed the expiration of an 18-month moratorium granted after the initial announcement in January 2024.
The ban specifically targets styrofoam food packs, all forms of polystyrene cups (disposable cups), plastic straws, plastic cutlery, and nylon carrier bags with less than 40-micron thickness. PET bottles, sachet water, and thicker nylon bags are exempted from the ban.
Mr. Anthony Ewubare, a resident of Ikotun, said that provision stores in the area continue to use nylon bags as packaging for customers.
“It’s as if nothing has changed. Shops still hand you your goods in nylons like before,” he said.
Mrs. Itunu Owokade, who lives in Ayobo, shared a similar sentiment, stating that plastic spoons and disposable cups are still being used at social events.
“I attended a party last weekend, and it was the usual plastic plates and spoons. No change at all,” Owokade said.
Miss Blessing Okoro said the ban appeared to have made little impact in Okota.
“Even food vendors and traders still pack items in plastic bags,” she said.
Mrs. Funmilayo Ojo, a dealer of nylon bags at Iyana Ipaja Market, said the producers of the black nylon bags have stopped producing and supplying them in the area.
“What I am selling now is what remained of the last supplies of the producer. They have stopped producing this type in response to the Lagos State Government ban.
Our correspondent also observed that traders at the Iyana Ipaja Market were still openly selling nylon bags and other banned plastic items, suggesting low compliance and enforcement in some areas.
Also, sellers at Abule Market, Ajao Estate, are not left out.
A tomato seller at the market named Abu, disclosed that he would continue to use nylons until government provides an alternative.
In response to the public concern, the Director, Public Affairs of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Kunle Adeshina, acknowledged that while the ban has taken effect, complete compliance would take time.
“It is not unexpected that we still have instances of people trying to test the will of the law. We will continue to ramp up enforcement alongside sensitisation on the dangers of continued usage,” Adeshina said.
An environmentalist and Publisher of EnviroNews, Mr. Michael Simire, commented that it is still too early to fully assess the ban’s impact.
“The government’s efforts to enforce the ban and promote sustainable practices are steps in the right direction,” he said.
Simire disclosed that key areas to monitor as the policy progresses were reduction in plastic waste, especially styrofoam, in drainage and streets and increased use of eco-friendly alternatives by businesses and consumers.
He added that level of compliance across the supply chain – from producers to end-users – should be monitored too.
Simire noted that education, enforcement, and stakeholder engagement would be essential to achieving the intended environmental goals.
Indigenous Peoples, waste pickers, and unionised workers are jointly demanding a binding Global Plastics Treaty grounded in justice and human rights as the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) enters the second week in Geneva.
This is contained in a statement made available on Friday, August 8, 2025, in Lagos and jointly signed by the media representative of the groups.
Dr Leslie Adogame, the Executive Director, Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria) (left) in the company of a delegate
They are Nicolás Martínez, International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP); Catalina de Onís, Just Transition Alliance (JTA); and Cheyenne Rendon, International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Plastics (IIPFP).
The groups, representing frontline communities most affected by plastic pollution, have demanded that the treaty addresses plastics’ full lifecycle – from fossil fuel extraction to waste disposal.
They have also rejected “false solutions” such as plastic credits and market-driven schemes.
“Our food, water, and bodies are being poisoned by a crisis we didn’t create.
“The treaty must protect indigenous rights and knowledge,” said Viola Vi Waghiyi, a Yupik leader from Alaska.
The International Alliance of Waste Pickers, representing over 40 million workers, stressed the need for formal recognition and just transition measures.
The International Trade Union Confederation called for binding labour standards and safe working conditions across the plastics value chain.
“We are the ones facing this crisis on the streets and dumpsites,” said Soledad Mella, a waste picker leader from Chile.
The groups insist that, without power, resources, and decision-making in the hands of those most impacted, the treaty risks failing the communities it claims to protect.
However, a key Nigerian delegation to the meeting, Dr Leslie Adogame, the Executive Director, Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria), also corroborated these views.
Adogame stressed the need for Africans to speak with one voice, insisting that developed countries must finance efforts to tackle plastic pollution in Africa.
He urged the continent’s leading representatives to prioritise key African concerns, including capping soaring plastic production, and to commit to cutting it by 50 per cent by 2030 to curb its harmful impacts.
He tasked the leading voices representing the continent to focus on key African priorities, adding that a cap on the soaring productions of plastic was essential to reduce all the harms they cause, commit to the reduction of plastic production by 50 per cent by year 2030
“A Key African Priorities on the soaring productions of plastic is essential to reduce all the harms they cause, commit to the reduction of plastic production by 50 per cent by year 2030.
“Priorities such as global reduction of plastic production, financial and technical support, toxic chemical control, just transition for workers and waste trade reduction among others,” Adogame said.
The stakeholders in South-South region have stated that plans are in advanced stage for the evacuation of flood-prone communities amid disaster predictions.
The stakeholders from Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states responded to a survey on the extent of planning to check flood disaster.
Flooding in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
They also said that they had desilted the drains, embarked on public enlightenment to sensitise the residents on actions to reduce flooding, and for the rural communities to prepare themselves for evacuation.
Speaking in Cross River, Mrs. Mmandu Aisueni, Head of Operations, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Uyo Operations Office, said the agency had embarked on the assessment of the flood prone communities.
She added that the assessment was to find out whether or not the residents in the identified communities were ready to be evacuated.
Aisueni explained that in partnership with the state government, NEMA commenced the flood needs assessment programme in the three Senatorial District as a follow-up of a meeting earlier held on combating floods.
She added that at the end of the programme, they would do a report to the deputy governor, under whose purview is the State Emergency Management Agency, to take immediate action.
She also said that they instituted a programme titled, ‘’National Preparedness Campaign,’’ in respect of the 2025 flood prediction.
Aisueni said that the state governments and its agencies were expected to cascade information to the Local Government Areas that were identified as flood prone.
She, however, said that they had visited two communities, Ojuk North and Ojuk South, earlier in July to distribute relief materials to residents who suffered losses from an earlier windstorm that was accompanied by heavy rainfalls.
Similarly, Moses Osogi, the state Commissioner for Environment, said that the government started preparing for the rainy season very early with the desilting of its drainages especially in flood-prone areas.
He said that they also partnered with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to provide additional receptacle bins in the state to prevent waste disposal into drainages, adding that this increased the number of state receptacle bins.
“This was done to prevent complaints of not having where to dispose waste and so, filling the gutters with them.
“We also upscaled our awareness campaigns using different media channels just to change the mindset of the people in waste disposal and building on flood channels,” he said.
Osogi said that the state had also constituted a standing taskforce that would be going around to apprehend culprits of improper waste disposal in the state.
He said that among the objectives of the taskforce were to ensure that wastes were disposed between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily and the proper evacuation of the wastes by designated trucks.
According to him, poor waste disposal had been a major challenge fueling flooding in the state and they had to address it.
Also speaking in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, the NEMA Head of Operations, Aisueni, said that measures had been in place to check flooding and save lives.
She said that part of the measures was the commencement of sensitisation programme being carried out by NEMA and other stakeholders across the state to inform the people to make preparations in case of flooding.
She explained that other measures included involvement of radio stations to campaign on the importance of clean environments and desilting of the drainages among others.
“NEMA has been on top of the situation, managing the 2025 flood prediction as released by NiMET and NISER and our first point of call was to organise response campaigns which took place in June.
“The sensitisation campaign was attended by all stakeholders involved in disaster management, including the Deputy Governor, Sen. Akon Eyakenyi.
“We had interviews and sensitisation on Excel FM radio station, sensitising the people of Akwa Ibom state on the flood prediction’s outcome and what is expected of them.’’
Aisueni added that the Uyo Operations office was in communication with the Commissioner for Information, and had shared jingles and flyers with him for interpretation in the local languages and sending them to the local communities.
According to her, if you look around the NiMET prediction, you will see that it is mostly the local communities that are likely to be affected, like Ibeno, Eastern Obolo, Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin and the likes.
Aisueni added that NEMA earlier informed the Commissioner for Environment on the areas likely to be affected by floods and for the state to prepare in the case of evacuation.
She explained that already, the agency had contacted the military and the 6th battalion had agreed to join NEMA team in case of emergency.
She said that they were to identify high grounds to be used as the state internally displaced persons’ camp to keep the people until the water ceased while modalities to handle emergency were in place.
Aisueni added that the stakeholders were ready in case of evacuation and that the state government was urged to stockpile items for wellbeing of the displaced persons including the children.
“There should be items available to cater for children, women, nursing mothers and their babies and the aged ones in case of evacuation; the state government must be in the forefront as the lead agency.
“There is need for attitudinal change by residents, because we have realised that whenever it rains, the people will release their waste into the drainages; people need to change their attitude to avoid blocking the drainages,’’ she said.
Dr Sunday Nditoi, an environmental consultant in Uyo, urged residents to make use of the available receptacles provided by government and not to dump their refuse into drainages.
Nditoi, who is a former state Director of Environment, Federal Ministry of Environment, said all drainages, outlets should be opened.
He called on residents not to build or live in flood prone areas to avoid impeding flooding, adding that there should be regular desilting of drainages by residents to avoid flooding.
Mr. Assam Abia, a veteran journalist, called on government to apply modern technology of curbing flood in the state.
Abia added that deep under ground drainage should be applied to checkmate flooding in the state, especially in Eket and its environs.
He advised the state government to put drainage system that would empty itself into ocean as the state is naturally prone to flooding.
Gov. Umo Eno had intervened in the flooded portion of Atiku Abubakar Avenue, in Uyo and directed the desilting of the drainages in the same avenue and across the state.
He also directed the construction of the adjourning Afaha Ube street and side drains to link Ikot Ekpene road with immediate effect, while instituting the monthly environmental exercise for a clean environment.
In Rivers, Mr. Eric Ebhodaghe, South-South Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, said that the agency had achieved 90 percent readiness to mitigate the anticipated flooding in both in Rivers and Bayelsa.
He stated that the proactive measures include enhanced early warning systems, large-scale flood simulations, and community sensitisation campaigns, to minimise the impact of potential flooding.
He explained that, following an early flooding warning, NEMA had swiftly mobilised both human and material resources to reduce the potential impact of flooding in the two states.
According to him, the agency also downscaled the early warning to the state governments and to all the local government areas, particularly those prone to flooding.
“We have also conducted a robust sensitisation and awareness campaign across various coastal communities and engaged relevant state governments for a collaborative response to the impending floods,” he said.
Ebhodaghe added that NEMA had held meetings with key emergency response agencies, including the military, NSCDC, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), State and Federal Fire Services, and ambulance services, to ensure they on high alert.
He also confirmed that NEMA had engaged with relevant state authorities on the management of Internally Displace Person (IDP) camps and the identification of safer grounds for potential relocation.
Other mitigation strategies include provision of medical supplies, desilting of waterways and drainage channels and engagement with local community volunteers to serve as first responders when the flood begins.
“NEMA has done quite a lot as part of our mitigation strategy to ensure minimal impact of the flooding.
“Given our level of preparation and the strength of our collaboration with stakeholders, we can confidently say that NEMA is 90 percent ready.
“We appeal to authorities at the state, local government, and community levels to ensure they act responsibly and carry out their roles as expected,” Ebhodaghe added.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. António Guterres, has stressed the need for global support for youth-led solutions as a strategy to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Guterres said that such support would also promote youth development and empowerment for peace and economic growth.
UN Secretary-General, António Guterres
Guterres spoke at an event organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria, in collaboration with Strategy for Mentoring Initiative and Leadership Empowerment (S.M.I.L.E.).
The event was held in observance of the International Youth Day (IYD) 2025, on Saturday, August 9, in Lagos.
The event had the theme: “Youth Localising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.
Guterres was represented by Dr Oluseyi Soremekun, the National Information Officer at the UN Information Centre, Abuja.
According to Guterres, young people are bold innovators, resilient and essential partners in achieving the SDGs.
Guterres said that youth-led solutions must be supported for peace and sustainability.
He said the UN had recognised the impact of the younger generation on economic growth and development.
“We have come to the recognition that when young people lead, the society thrives,” he said.
He said the youth must be celebrated and supported to achieve the aims of the SGDs.
According to him, IYD is a declaration by the UN General Assembly and is celebrated annually on Aug. 12.
“We have the responsibility to promote it, to amplify the message of the IYD with our partner, S.M.I.L.E., and we have been doing it for over 10 years,” he said.
He also charged youths not to be involved in things that would affect Nigeria’s peace and unity.
“We will not have SDGs without young people driving it.
“Youths must get involved in local actions and support peace processes anywhere they find themselves,” he said.
He urged the youth to avoid being used to destroy the peace of the country.
The President of S.M.I.L.E., Mrs. Bimpe Bamgbose-Martins, said that the initiative was aimed to play a strategic role in the quest for building the next generation of leaders in Nigeria.
Bamgbose-Martins said that S.M.I.L.E. organised programmes to meet leadership needs of the youth.
She said that mentoring and leadership empowerment remained the most powerful tools to positively impact the next generation of leaders.
The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on SDGs, Dr Oreoluwa Finnih, commended the UN and S.M.I.L.E. for the partnership aimed at creating the next generation of leaders.
Finnih was represented at the event by her Technical Special Assistant, Mr. Oluwasegun Ojo.
She urged the youth to be part of the SDGs achievement by contributing their quotas for economic growth and development.
She said the Lagos State Government would remain committed to youth empowerment and development in line with the SDGs mandate.
Finnih urged the youth to ensure proper waste disposal by ensuring sorting of wastes for environmental sustainability.
Mr. Tunde Mabawonku, the Executive Director, Retail and Digital Banking, Wema Bank Plc., one of the partners, commended the UN and S.M.I.L.E. for creating a platform for youth empowerment to commemorate IYD.
Mabawonku noted that S.M.I.L.E. had been involved in many “exciting things” through its initiatives.
He charged the youth to be part of the “phenomenal enterprise”.
He added that the youth must revolve in mindset, skills and character to remain relevant.
During a panel session, Mr. Aduragbemi Fasakin, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Advic Farms, called on the youth to embrace agriculture for food security.
Fasakin spoke on the topic: “Showcasing Innovators and Youth-led Solutions to Accelerate the SDGs”.
He said that people would need to move from agriculture to agribusiness for food security.
“Young people need to come onboard early enough.
“Farming has moved beyond soil to soiless agriculture; it is the new gold in Nigeria,” he said.
Governments of Oyo, Ogun, and Kwara states have put in place proactive measures to mitigate the impact of flooding following predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) of possible heavy rainfall in parts of the country.
The state governments have said that public sensitisation, infrastructural interventions, and multi-agency coordination had been prioritised to reduce disaster risks in flood-prone areas.
Flooding in Ilorin, Kwara State
NiMet had forecasted increased rainfall and potential flooding in several states between July and August 2025, urging governments to implement preventive actions.
In response, state officials in Oyo, Ogun and Kwara said a series of preparatory efforts had commenced to safeguard lives and property.
Mr. Daniel Ajayi, Operations Officer of the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA), said the agency had collaborated with relevant stakeholders to ensure an effective response system.
“We have pre-positioned relief materials including foodstuffs, building materials, and household items in our warehouses to support affected residents if flooding occurs,” he said.
Ajayi noted that medical teams, in collaboration with the Red Cross, had been placed on alert. He added that continuous sensitisation campaigns were ongoing via radio, television, marketplaces, and public areas.
“We have also alerted residents in flood-prone communities to prepare for possible heavy rains,” he said.
According to him, the state government had cleared several river channels, particularly in high-risk zones, and warned residents against indiscriminate dumping of waste in drains.
Also speaking, the Head of Operations, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) South-West, Mr. Kadiri Olanrewaju, said the agency had conducted stakeholder engagements across affected local government areas in Ibadan, including Lagelu, Ona-Ara, and Egbeda.
He said, “The initiative aims to promote early action and preparedness. We’ve met with council chairmen and community leaders to develop coordinated responses.”
Olanrewaju stressed the need for inter-agency and inter-governmental collaboration, calling on local and state governments to take proactive steps.
“There is an urgent need to dredge waterways and deploy waste management trucks across the state. Many flooding incidents are preventable,” he added.
Mr. Johnson Adekola, Technical Officer with the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP), said the agency had intensified its flood preparedness response since NiMet’s alert.
He said major rivers such as Agodi, Ogunpa, Ogbere, Omin, and Onipepeye had been cleared to ensure smooth water flow.
“Our structural and non-structural interventions include early warning systems, improved drainage channels, and sensitisation of residents along riverbanks,” Adekola said.
In Ogun State, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, said the government had begun its annual flood preparedness campaign since March, following NiMet’s prediction.
He stated that rainfall in the state was expected to range between 965mm and 1805mm, with dry spells projected between April and July.
“Flooding is part of our seasonal cycle, and we must prepare adequately. Our flood alerts help residents anticipate periods of heavy rainfall,” Oresanya said.
According to him, the first rains peaked in July with over 360mm of rainfall, while the second phase is expected in mid-August through September.
Oresanya explained that ongoing infrastructural interventions include the de-silting of over 988.3km of waterways, construction of 698 metres of drainage channels, and the dredging of the Opa Aro River.
“These efforts have reduced flood duration in areas like Isheri from six weeks to three weeks. We are also working closely with community leaders and CDAs at the grassroots level,” he added.
He urged residents, especially in flood-prone areas, to heed relocation advice, noting: “We are committed not only to reducing flood impact but also to achieving zero fatalities.”
Mr. Saheed Akiode, Zonal Director for NEMA South-West, also issued a flood alert, warning of possible flooding in several communities over the next 28 days.
“We’ve mobilised all relevant agencies, including the Ministries of Water Resources, Environment, and Health, to scale up preparedness,” he said.
Akiode urged state governments to clear blocked canals, monitor vulnerable communities, and stockpile relief materials.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government has advised residents to stay alert in anticipation of heavy rains accompanied by lightning and thunderstorms.
Mr. Agboola Olanrewaju, Director of Public Orientation in the Ministry of Communications, said the state had embarked on public sensitisation, particularly targeting those living near rivers.
“Relocation of residents in vulnerable areas is ongoing to prevent avoidable loss of life,” he said.
Olanrewaju also warned against movement during heavy rainfall and advised residents to unplug electrical appliances to avoid power surges.
He added that the state government was currently dredging the Asa River and clearing drainages within the metropolis to enhance flood control.
