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AAPN commends NAFDAC’s seizure of banned pesticides, seeks stronger reforms, collective responsibility

Michael Simire
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AAPN commends NAFDAC’s seizure of banned pesticides, seeks stronger reforms, collective responsibility

The Alliance for Action on Pesticides in Nigeria (AAPN) has commended the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for its recent bold enforcement operations, which led to the seizure of over ₦800 million worth of banned agrochemicals in four states – Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo.

Pesticides application
Pesticides application

This was after the public ban, long phase out period and extended grace by NAFDAC on the substances and her merchants.

The confiscated products included Paraquat (banned effective January 1, 2024), Chlorpyrifos (banned effective November 1, 2024), and Atrazine (banned effective January 1, 2025).

These pesticides are known to be highly hazardous and pose severe threats to public health and the environment.

According to the AAPN, this action by NAFDAC marks a significant step in curbing the rampant misuse and illegal distribution of banned chemicals across Nigeria. The seized substances; over 551 cartons found across 16 agrochemical outlets – are linked to serious health conditions such as cancer, respiratory failure, liver and kidney damage, and have contributed to suicides, food poisoning, and international rejection of Nigerian agricultural exports.

While AAPN applauds the enforcement effort, the group urges further systemic reforms to address the deeper roots of unsafe pesticide use in the country, recommending the following urgent actions:

End the open sale of all forms of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) in markets across Nigeria.

Agrochemical dealers’ associations, farmers’ groups, and agro-technical networks must take responsibility for educating, training, and holding their members accountable. They must desist from selling banned products and actively warn members about their dangers.

Government institutions at all levels federal, state, and local levels – along with market authorities, farmers’ cooperatives, agrochemical associations and traders’, should work closely with NAFDAC to enforce regulations and protect public health.

Rather than promoting the use of highly toxic chemical substitutes, we advocate for the widespread promotion and adoption of bioprotectors such as biopesticides, biofertilizers, and other eco-friendly inputs. Where unavoidable, only pesticides categorised as Unlikely to Present Acute Hazard should be considered.

“This is just one part of a much-needed broader approach to tackle the growing menace of pesticide misuse in Nigeria. NAFDAC’s actions must be expanded to reach other regions, particularly rural communities, where unsafe pesticide practices are most prevalent.

“The open sale and use of banned agrochemicals pose an enormous threat to both public health and food safety.

“AAPN calls for a national strategy involving NAFDAC, the Ministries of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), security forces, and agrochemical dealers and marketers associations to work together in widening the enforcement net. It is crucial that agrochemical dealers’ associations take full responsibility for ensuring their members adhere to the ban and are held accountable when involved in the illegal sale or distribution of these harmful substances.

“Unfortunately, some dealers are perpetrators rather than co-enforcers of the regulations, and they must be held accountable.We also emphasised the need for farmers associations, farm workers networks, and leaders of these groups to be integral to enforcement and education efforts. These stakeholders are on the frontline of exposure to these dangerous chemicals, even before they reach consumers.

“It is essential to protect those who work directly in agriculture, as they are often the first to bear the brunt of toxic pesticide exposure.The tragedy that occurred in Oye Obi community in Benue State in 2020, where over 270 people tragically lost their lives after a banned pesticide – Endosulfan, was leaked into the community’s river, should serve as a grim reminder of the consequences of inaction.

“Incidents like this, alongside widespread cases of the use of pesticide for suicides, occasions of food poisoning, and the export rejection of Nigerian agricultural products due to pesticide contamination, must not be allowed to continue.AAPN strongly advocates for legislative measures that can close the gaps in existing laws, ensuring more robust monitoring, education, penalties for violators, and force disclosure of how lethal that these pesticide active ingredients are.

“The open sale of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) must end, and the government must work closely with NAFDAC and other relevant stakeholders to enforce existing regulations and introduce new laws where necessary.We must act collectively and urgently. The unregulated circulation of Highly Hazadious and banned pesticides is not only undermining our food systems but also costing lives.

“Nigeria cannot afford to continue this cycle of negligence and harm. We call on the Nigerian government to sustain support for NAFDAC’s monitoring and enforcement roles and to champion a national movement toward safe, sustainable, and health-conscious agricultural practices.Together, through stronger cooperation, enforcement, and public education, Nigeria can move toward a safer, more sustainable future for both its farmers and consumers.”

WJC report highlights disruption of global pangolin scale, ivory trafficking networks

Michael Simire
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WJC report highlights disruption of global pangolin scale, ivory trafficking networks

The Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) has published a new report revealing a remarkable and sustained disruption in the trafficking of pangolin scales and ivory from Africa to Asia.

Elephant ivory
Elephant ivory

Titled “Disruption and Disarray: An analysis of pangolin scale and ivory trafficking, 2015–2024”, the report documents a sharp decline in significant seizures since 2020, pointing to a shift in the criminal landscape and the potential long-term impact of targeted law enforcement efforts.

The report draws on seizure data, open-source research, and the WJC’s own criminal intelligence and investigation findings over the past decade.

It highlights a turning point in 2020, when seizure volumes dropped dramatically – largely attributed to the global shock of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, this decline has held steady, suggesting more than a temporary disruption.

In addition to the pandemic’s impact, recent intelligence indicates that sustained, targeted law enforcement operations – including key arrests and prosecutions of high-level traffickers – have contributed to a weakened criminal capacity, particularly at the supply side in Africa.

“This significant reduction in the trafficking of pangolin scales and ivory is a testament to the critical impact of focused and collaborative law enforcement efforts. As our new report shows, proactive targeting of kingpins and high-level traffickers, strategic arrests, and strong international cooperation have fundamentally disrupted criminal networks operating at an industrial scale. Our partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service demonstrates how sustained pressure at key trafficking hubs can have a ripple effect across the global supply chain. By continuing to apply strategic pressure on the crime bosses and financiers who drive this illicit trade, we can build on this momentum and create lasting change in the fight against transnational wildlife crime”, said Olivia Swaak-Goldman, Executive Director of the WJC.

Criminal dynamics and evolving patterns

The report compares trafficking patterns in the pre-pandemic (2015–2019) and post-pandemic (2020–2024) periods, drawing on seizure data, open-source research, and WJC criminal intelligence. Among the key findings:

1. A substantial decrease in the number of multi-ton seizures of pangolin scales and ivory since 2020.

2. A shift toward major interceptions taking place in African countries prior to export.

3. No significant pangolin scale seizures reported at any seaport for the past three years – a strong indicator of disrupted supply chains.

4. Continued evidence that organised crime networks have diversified their operations to adapt to changing market dynamics and law enforcement pressure.

5. Ongoing seizures of pangolin scale stockpiles in Nigeria, suggesting persistent criminal investment despite declining export flows.

6. The decline in seizures may reflect improved enforcement but also highlights a significant intelligence gap — it remains unclear whether trafficking has decreased or if shipments are now evading detection entirely.

A  strategic tool for law enforcement and policymakers 

The purpose of the report is to share up-to-date findings and provide a current assessment of the criminal dynamics and changes in the trafficking landscape, with the goal of helping to inform law enforcement strategies and policy decisions. By understanding these shifting patterns, authorities can ensure that the global response remains appropriately targeted to current and future needs, and that gains made in disrupting illegal trade are not reversed. 

Building on its investigative experience, the Wildlife Justice Commission puts forward a series of targeted recommendations to further disrupt trafficking networks and reduce the risk of crime displacement: 

Key recommendations:  

  • Prioritise the dismantling of high-level criminal networks: Identifying and targeting the crime bosses, financiers, and brokers who control supply chains. 
  • Deepen long-term, intelligence-led investigations: To penetrate complex networks, corroborate intelligence, and gather robust evidence. 
  • Target the profits of crime: Through financial investigations and asset forfeiture, to remove the incentives that sustain trafficking networks. 
  • Enhance international cooperation: Joint investigations and intelligence sharing are essential to dismantle networks operating across multiple countries. 
  • Involve prosecutors from the start: Early engagement ensures strong legal cases and increases the likelihood of successful prosecutions. 

Celebrating 10 years of impact 

This report also marks a significant milestone for the Wildlife Justice Commission. In 2025, the group celebrates its 10th anniversary.

For a decade, the WJC is said to be on the frontlines of the fight against wildlife crime — conducting intelligence-led investigations and supporting law enforcement agencies around the world.

“But the fight is far from over. This report reflects both the progress made and the challenges ahead in the global effort to dismantle the criminal networks threatening wildlife and ecosystems.”

A global effort  

The Wildlife Justice Commission says it remains committed to supporting law enforcement agencies, and governments in tackling transnational wildlife crime, adding that the findings in the report serve as a call to action for continued international cooperation and strategic investment in the tools and partnerships that have proven effective in disrupting organised criminal activity. 

Groups warn of impending disaster in Borno over stalled Alau Dam repair

Michael Simire
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Groups warn of impending disaster in Borno over stalled Alau Dam repair

The Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF) and the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) have warned of  imminent disaster in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, with the onset of the rains and the federal government’s failure to commence repairs on the Alau Dam which collapsed last year due to heavy rainfall.

Alau Dam
The groundbreaking ceremony of the Alau Dam in Borno State

The position of the two organisations come on the heels of allegations by locals that the much publicised repair and expansion of the dam promised by the federal government have not commenced even as the rainy season kicks in.

The locals queried the government’s decision to shun Mothercat Nigeria Limited, the original contractor that built the bridge, in favour of another firm that began work on the system 1 and 2 damaged pipeline under the Lagos Street Bridge only to abandon it after it was mobilised for the work.  

The Alau dam collapsed on Tuesday September 10, flooding 70 percent of Maiduguri and displacing residents of Fori, Galtimari, Gwange, Bulabulin, and other communities. In the aftermath of the incident, thousands of homes were submerged, including the palace of the Shehu of Borno and government facilities in the capital.

While 80 percent of animals at the Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo died, those in the Museum Park escaped, further endangering hapless residents who are yet to fully recover one year after the incident.

Executive Director of CFSF, Comrade Sani Saba, said: “Another disaster may be imminent. With the delay in commencement of the repair work on the dam we can conclude that the federal government is more interested in optics and showmanship when disaster happen rather than supporting pro-active interventions.

“Nothing can justify the government’s engagement of a firm that is incapable of delivering and exposing the locals to fresh harm. It is simply unacceptable.”

Executive Director of RDI, Philip Jakpor, said: “We are bewildered at the lackluster attitude of the government in the face of possible repeat of the flooding incident of 2024.  What we should be hearing by now is the level of progress of the work.

“By virtue of the delay in commencing the rehabilitation of the dam lives may be lost, livelihoods affected and the economy of the state if the rains come with the fury of last year. This will likely worsen the insecurity residents face.”

The groups learnt that a large population in Borno are still not yet able to access safe and potable water. Residents of densely populated areas such as Wulari, Mafoni, Kumshe, Hausari, Shehuri North, Shehuri South and old Maiduguri.

The two organisations demanded immediate commencement of the repair and expansion of the dam and prosecution of contractors that have been funded but failed to deliver.

“Until we have people who are accountable for their actions, this sort of annoying situation will continue. The relevant agencies like the Nigeria Meteorological Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency have given adequate notice of what is imminent. No serious government would wait till disaster happens before acting. We demand urgent action.”

Carney, new Canadian leader, urged to deliver on climate

Michael Simire
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Carney, new Canadian leader, urged to deliver on climate

In a closely watched election shaped by economic anxiety, Canadians have elected a Liberal government led by Mark Carney. A former central banker, Carney reportedly campaigned as a steady hand in the storm.

Mark Carney
Mark Carney

Observers insist that he must now act with urgency on the defining crisis of our time.

While voters didn’t elect a far-right government, the Conservatives presumably gained ground in many parts of the country and secured their highest vote share since 1988. The social democratic NDP lost party status and, with it, some of Parliament’s strongest climate champions.

Carney will be forming a minority government, so he will need creativity and compromise to govern, according to industry watchers.

They added that, without a strong progressive flank in government, sustained public pressure will be all the more important to ensure the new administration delivers the decisive climate action needed. 

In a reaction, Amara Possian, Canada Team Lead at 350.org, submitted: “Like millions across Canada, I breathed a sigh of relief last night. We stopped a Conservative Pierre Poilievre government, but the fight for Canada’s future is far from over. Prime Minister Mark Carney says ‘We will need to think big and act bigger. We will need to do things previously thought impossible at speeds we haven’t seen in generations.’ That starts with leaving fossil fuel nostalgia behind and building a clean energy future that protects people and the planet from far-right chaos.

“Carney talks of urgency, but still nods to ‘conventional energy,’ which is code for oil and gas pipelines and false solutions. Canada has spent too long talking a big game about renewables while propping up the fossil fuel industry. That approach has wasted time, public money, and public trust. Real climate leadership means ending fossil fuel expansion, not appeasing fossil fuel interests.

“Thanks to grassroots pressure, the Liberals committed to an East-West electricity grid in their election platform. Now we need to ensure that Carney follows through in a way that centers workers, Indigenous communities, and the public good over corporate profits.

“Carney faces a choice: entrench the status quo or lead Canada into a new era. Canada must cut emissions in half by 2030 and step up globally, supporting countries on the frontlines of climate disaster and leading G7 nations toward stronger, fairer climate action.

“We stopped a far-right government from taking power. But the real work lies ahead as we build a future where our climate is protected and our communities thrive.”

Map documents largest land animal migration across South Sudan, Ethiopia

Michael Simire
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0
Map documents largest land animal migration across South Sudan, Ethiopia

New maps released on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, document in unprecedented detail the seasonal movements of two migratory antelope species – the white-eared kob* and tiang (Damaliscus lunatus) – across South Sudan’s expansive wetlands and Ethiopia’s Gambella National Park.

Land animal migration
Land animal migration

Covering an area of over 100,000 km², roughly seven times larger than Serengeti National Park, these maps reveal the largest known land mammal migration on Earth, also known as the “Great Nile Migration”.

Approximately five million kob and 400,000 tiang, alongside other hooved mammals also known as “ungulates,” undertake complex, long-distance journeys to access essential wet- and dry- season habitats annually. Their routes take them between Badingilo and Boma National Parks in South Sudan.

Some migrate further north to Gambella National Park in Ethiopia, an important dry-season refuge particularly for kob from February to May.

The newly released migration maps form part of the Atlas of Ungulate Migration, developed by the Global Initiative on Ungulate Migration (GIUM) under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).

Publicly available online, the atlas and the new maps aim to support conservation planning, infrastructure development, and policymaking to maintain critical ecological connectivity, thus preserving essential habitats for migratory species while reducing the potential for human-wildlife conflict.

“The detailed migration maps unveiled today highlight the interconnectedness of landscapes across South Sudan and Ethiopia and underscore the urgent need to balance infrastructure development with the survival of migratory species.

“They provide a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving these corridors for the health of ecosystems and thriving wildlife populations, as well as to reduce human-wildlife interactions,” says Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of CMS.

The maps build upon recent aerial surveys and tracking data released in June 2024 by African Parks and South Sudan’s Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism.

During these surveys, biologists estimated approximately 5–7 million migratory animals across four species – white-eared kob, tiang, Mongalla gazelle and Bohor reedbuck. For the kob, the maps significantly expand upon earlier tracking studies conducted by the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (2013–2015), providing new insights into how migrations connect critical habitats across international boundaries.

“Seeing the full extent of these migrations is awe-inspiring, but also daunting,” says Kumara Wakjira, the Director General of the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority. “Although it will be challenging, we are committed to assuring that these landscapes remain protected to sustain the movement of kob and other migratory species in Ethiopia into the future.”

Migration routes for kob and tiang – now mapped clearly between seasonal ranges – highlight essential corridors needed for their survival through extreme seasonal conditions. As human populations and infrastructure expand, these detailed maps offer critical information to mitigate impacts of large-scale projects, particularly energy infrastructure.

Oil extraction poses a pressing concern, notably within a development area known as “Block B2”, operated by South Africa’s Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) and South Sudan’s Nilepet, covering areas critical for both kob and tiang migrations. Without careful and informed planning, the oil exploration set to begin in 2025 could seriously disrupt wildlife migration, increase human encroachment, and escalate illegal hunting. The rising incidence of illegal tiang harvesting along roads already shows how essential it is to plan infrastructure with wildlife protection in mind.

“Humans and wildlife have shared this landscape since time immemorial, and even amidst new pressures, they can continue to do so,” says Grant Hopcraft, a member of the scientific advisory team of the GIUM, which led the migration analyses and mapping. “If used, these migration maps based on the best available science are important tools in ensuring that the needs of both wildlife and humans are balanced.”

In South Sudan, conservation based on sound management and collaboration with local communities is urgently needed. Increasing illegal wildlife trade and the potential impacts of petroleum extraction highlight the importance of safeguarding the region’s migratory wildlife.

South Sudan and Ethiopia have a unique opportunity to preserve one of the world’s most remarkable natural phenomena for future generations, potentially leveraging conservation and tourism for sustainable economic growth.

“We are dedicated to conserving and studying the migrations here in South Sudan, which are not only globally significant but part of our national identity,” says Malik Morjan, professor of wildlife biology at the University of Juba, South Sudan, and a key contributor of data for the maps.

This work to map the migrations of these species is contributing to the broader mandate under CMS to address ecological connectivity.

At the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties, the Global Partnership on Ecological Connectivity was launched to support the scaling-up of global efforts to restore and conserve ecological connectivity, which is essential for migratory species, and vital for healthy ecosystems.

Conserving migratory species and ensuring that spectacular wildlife movements continue into the future directly supports the achievement of key global commitments such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Group seeks investment to accelerate Nigeria’s just transition agenda

Michael Simire
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0
Group seeks investment to accelerate Nigeria’s just transition agenda

In order to accelerate Nigeria’s just transition and economic development objectives, experts have called for more funding to help the country promote climate action.

NCCCS
Participants at the lobal South Peer Learning Workshop on Country Platforms for Climate Action and Just Energy Transition, organised by the National Counci on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS), in Abuja

According to them, this demand has become necessary due to the nation’s limited resources, which have hampered economic activity and climatic resilience.

Speaking on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Abuja at a function hosted by the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS), Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, bemoaned the country’s problems, which range from land degradation to mineral exploitation and insurgency.

Another important issue cited by the minister as requiring urgent attention is access to clean water for cooking in places affected by oil and gas activity, which he believes can be addressed through shared global wealth.

“We have been a high participant in the funding of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), and Nigeria is setting and integrating strategies to fast-track investment resources to correct decades of underinvestment,” he stated.

The minister described the workshop, which focused on Global South Peer Learning on Country Platforms for Climate Action and Just Energy Transition, as a positive step that reflected Nigeria’s global commitment to economic, social, and environmental goals.

He advocated for more similar meetings to allow Nigeria to learn from other countries about how they addressed some of the difficulties it is facing and ensured that the correct thing was done.

In his opinion, investing in regions where clean energy can be produced – particularly hydro – is more important than simply moving away from oil and gas.

Sen. Bagudu continued by mentioning drought and flooding as two more significant climate-related problems that need to be addressed because of their effects on socioeconomic advancement.

As a result, he urged for the adoption of modern techniques, which he connected to the availability of funding investment.

He informed participants that the president has made economic decisions that will steer Nigeria’s economy in the right path and boost growth in all areas of the economy.

“When we make the measures we have taken, we have to steer the economy in the right direction,” the nation’s minister of budget and economic planning asserts.

Commenting about the workshop’s goal, Dr. Olumide Abimbola, Executive Director of the Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI), stated that the knowledge, relationships, and pledges made during the next two days of the programme will put Nigeria and its partners in the global south in a position to lead with ambition.

Furthermore, the APRI boss indicated that it will also improve clarity and audacity by sharing practical lessons on developing country platforms and development plans to face the global economic crisis.

In his view, insights from South Africa, Indonesia, Senegal, and Vietnam will directly inform Nigeria’s upcoming national development plan, assisting the ministry of budget and economic planning’s mandate and national stakeholders in coordinating a just, inclusive, climate-aware, and climate-sensitive development strategy.

“This is a moment to reflect honestly,” Dr. Abimbola said. “Have we at least delivered tangible results on the ground, or have they overpromised and under delivered?”

According to him, it is also time to imagine, to seize chances for African agency, ownership, and creativity, and to establish resilient investment platforms, leverage important mineral resources, and strengthen global South partnerships, rather than simply seeking pledges.

“We have been very intentional on what works, and how to build ownership and trust among domestic stakeholders, and to navigate the shifting global financing environment, given the current geopolitical climate,” he hinted.

As the world prepares for the Conference of Parties (COP30), which will be held in Belém, Brazil, later in November, he urged Nigeria to look ahead to more genuine Global South leadership, stronger public-private-civil society collaborations and partnerships, and a more honest, practical approach to securing climate resilience.

By Nsikak Emmanuel Ekere, Abuja

Congo Basin council celebrates certification of forest management

Michael Simire
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0
Congo Basin council celebrates certification of forest management

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Congo Basin office has disclosed that Exploitation Gabonaise de Grumes (EGG), a significant and long-standing player in Gabon’s forestry sector, has achieved FSC Forest Management (FM) certification.

Congo Basin
The Congo Basin

This significant milestone, attained on December 5, 2024, covers EGG’s 256,683 hectares of forest across its Forest Management Units (FMUs) EGG ROUGE and EGG VERT in the provinces of Ogooué Lolo and Haut Ogooué.EGG has demonstrated a long-term commitment to sustainability, operating in these Forest Management Units (FMUs).

Between 2014 and 2017, the company developed and secured approval for its sustainable forest management plans. This commitment solidified in 2022 when EGG dedicated itself to achieving FSC certification, diligently working to adapt its processes and approaches to meet the rigorous FSC standard requirements.

Their dedication to sustainable practices have apparently been formally recognised with FSC certification under license code FSC-C194914 and certificate code PBN-FM/COC-065131.

This achievement represents a substantial increase in the total area of FSC-certified forests in Gabon, rising from over 2.2 million hectares to over 2.4 million hectares, and elevates the total certified area within the Congo Basin to an impressive 6.2 million hectares.

FSC Congo Basin expresses its enthusiasm

“We warmly congratulate EGG on this significant achievement,” stated Patrick Epie, FSC Congo Basin and West Africa Sub Regional Coordinator. “Their consistent dedication to sustainable forest management over the years has rightfully culminated in this well-deserved FSC certification.”

EGG’s commitment clearly demonstrates that responsible forestry is not only viable in the Congo Basin but is also a crucial pathway for safeguarding the long-term health of our invaluable forests and fostering a sustainable economy. The certification provides substantial momentum to our ongoing efforts to promote responsible forest management across Gabon and the wider Congo Basin,” Boumi Hypp, Certification Manager at FSC Congo Basin, added,

“EGG’s journey towards FSC certification is a powerful testament to their proactive and responsible approach to forestry. Achieving certification for such a significant forest area demands considerable effort and a deep-seated commitment to the core principles of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability that FSC champions. We are confident that EGG’s certified operations will serve as a strong and positive example for other forestry companies in the region, encouraging the broader adoption of sustainable practices.

“EGG celebrates its FSC certification”Obtaining FSC Forest Management certification marks a proud and significant moment for EGG, representing the culmination of years of dedicated work and a deep-seated commitment to sustainable forest management,” said Adrien Spaymant, Deputy Director of Exploitation Gabonaise de Grumes (EGG).

“We firmly believe in the enduring value of our forests and are dedicated to managing them in a way that ensures both their ecological integrity and their vital contribution to the local economy. This prestigious certification provides our valued partners and customers with the definitive assurance that our timber is sourced responsibly, actively contributing to a more sustainable future for Gabon’s precious forest resources.”

This certification underscores EGG’s strong commitment to sustainable forestry practices and further reinforces the growing and crucial movement towards responsible forest management within the Congo Basin. The FSC Congo Basin office eagerly anticipates continued collaboration with EGG and other key stakeholders to further expand the area of certified forests throughout the region.

The International Tropical Timber Association (ATIBT), an organisation promoting the development of a sustainable, ethical and legal tropical timber industry as a natural and renewable resource essential to the socio-economic development of producer countries, congratulates EGG on obtaining its FSC forest management certification.

Benoît Jobbé-Duval, Managing Director of ATIBT: “ATIBT congratulates the teams at EGG and FSC on this new certification in Gabon. Our association, which promotes sustainable management by all means, can only applaud the efforts made to achieve this great result.”

TotalEnergies records revenue decline, loss in first quarter

Michael Simire
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0
TotalEnergies records revenue decline, loss in first quarter

TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria Plc has recorded N221.61 billion in revenue for the first quarter of 2025.

TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies

This figure represents a year-on-year decline of 18 per cent when compared with the N269.84 billion posted in the first quarter of 2024.

The company disclosed this in its financial results, which were made available as a corporate disclosure to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

It also revealed a loss after tax of N120 million for the period, a 101 per cent decline from the N11.50 billion profit recorded in the same period last year.

Profit before tax also saw a significant drop of 93 per cent, from N16.841 billion in the first quarter of 2024 to N1.121 billion in the same period of 2025.

In spite of these declines, TotalEnergies reported growth in its shareholders’ fund, which increased from N59.088 billion in the first quarter of 2024 to N61.380 billion in the corresponding period of 2025, while its share capital remained stable at N169.761 million.

Nigeria reaffirms youth empowerment at UN forum

Michael Simire
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1
Nigeria reaffirms youth empowerment at UN forum

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable development at the 2025 United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum held in New York.

Youth agripreneurs
Youth agripreneurs during a visit to Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB),

Mrs Omolara Esan, Director of Information and Public Relations in the Ministry of Youth Development, made this known in a statement on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

Leading the Nigerian delegation, Mr Olubunmi Olusanya, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, addressed global youth leaders, policymakers, and development partners at the forum.

He emphasised the critical importance of inclusive youth participation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas such as education, employment, innovation, and climate action.

He highlighted Nigeria’s strategic initiatives, including the newly launched National Youth Development Strategy 2024–2028, digital skills programmes, green entrepreneurship schemes, and robust partnerships aimed at expanding opportunities for millions of young Nigerians.

“Nigeria’s youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the drivers of today’s innovation and resilience,” he said.

He reiterated the country’s unwavering commitment to creating an enabling environment that empowered young people to realise their full potential and contribute meaningfully to both national and global development.

As part of the commitment, the ministry convened a high-impact side event in collaboration with UN agencies and regional youth organisations, themed “Harnessing Youth Innovation for Climate Resilience and Green Jobs in Africa.”

Olusanya noted that the event showcased youth-led climate solutions and fostered dialogue between policymakers and young change-makers from across the continent.

“The forum continues to serve as a crucial platform for young people to influence the United Nations’ work and contribute meaningfully to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“Nigeria’s active participation at this year’s forum underscores its leadership role in promoting a sustainable, youth-inclusive future,” he said.

Swiss firm to launch 500-tonne-per-year plant to recycle waste plastics

Michael Simire
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0
Swiss firm to launch 500-tonne-per-year plant to recycle waste plastics
Every year, millions of tons of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and polyester waste end up in landfills or are incinerated, yet sustainable recycling solutions remain limited.
DePoly – a sustainable PET-to-raw-material recycling company – on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, announced the upcoming launch of a 500-tonne-per-year showcase plant in Monthey, Switzerland this summer, representing a critical step in the company’s journey from laboratory breakthrough to industrial-scale implementation.
The facility will demonstrate DePoly’s proprietary process that converts PET and polyester waste into virgin-quality raw materials without fossil fuels.
Discarded items – from polyester shirts to water bottles – are not wasted anymore but resources transformed back into the building blocks for new products.
DePoly’s technology has already demonstrated its commercial impact through collaborations with some of the world’s leading companies – not only in fashion, like Odlo, but also in cosmetics and the broader consumer goods industry, including innovators such as PTI.
Through these partnerships, DePoly is said to have validated the quality of its recycled monomers by transforming PET waste into new bottles, high-performance textile fibers, and cosmetic packaging.
“The upcoming showcase plant validates our roadmap to creating a truly circular plastics market. Following our pilot and showcase plant, our next goal is to scale our operations to industrial size with a first of a kind commercial plant based on our technology,” said Samantha Anderson, Co-founder & CEO of DePoly.
The company is planning to build a commercial plant in 2027 that will process significantly larger volumes of PET and polyester waste.
To further accelerate this expansion, DePoly has secured a total of $23 million in seed funding with MassMutual Ventures joining a second closing of its round. The expanded investor base positions DePoly as one of the biggest recycling technology companies in Europe, with more than $30 million raised across two rounds and grants.
MassMutual Ventures joins existing investors, including Founderful, ACE & Company, Angel Invest, Zürcher Kantonalbank, BASF Venture Capital, Beiersdorf Venture Capital, and Syensqo.
“DePoly’s proven technology is a game changer addressing a crucial industrial and societal challenge. This raise and the showcase plant opening are advancing DePoly’s position as a leader in plastics recycling,” said Alix Brunet, Europe Lead at MassMutual Ventures.
David Hanf, who joined DePoly in 2024 as CFO, adds: “We are convinced our technology is one of the fastest to scale and will allow us to compete with virgin pricing at scale, a key factor for success. We are happy to have expanded our investor base to the US with MassMutual Ventures as we want to build a global champion.”
By transforming discarded plastics into high-quality raw materials, DePoly reduces reliance on fossil resources, minimises waste, and paves the way for a circular materials industry.
Plastic pollution
Plastic pollution
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