Stakeholders in Nigeria’s recycling sector have urged the Federal Government to introduce tax incentives and strengthen policy implementation to unlock the full economic potential of waste management and address unemployment.
Speaking at a two-day workshop in Calabar organised by UNICEF with support from the Cross River State Ministry of Environment, Vice President of the Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN), Victor Okunola, stressed the need for practical government support beyond policy formulation.
He explained that effective implementation of policies would create an enabling environment for businesses and attract investors into the recycling sector.
Okunola highlighted the role of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, driven by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), noting that state governments are being encouraged to provide incentives such as tax reliefs and shared recycling infrastructure.
According to him, while collection centres are important, the real economic value lies in developing businesses that can process and convert waste into usable resources, thereby driving growth and job creation.
He revealed that Cross River State generated about 79,000 tonnes of waste annually as of 2024, describing it as a significant opportunity for youth employment through recycling and other circular economy initiatives.
Okunola added that RAN’s ongoing training programmes are aimed at equipping young people with the skills needed to turn waste into valuable resources, while also supporting new entrants to establish businesses, particularly in eastern Nigeria where the sector is still developing.
Also speaking, recycling practitioner Ola Oluwaseyi emphasised the importance of strong policies backed by enforcement and collaboration between public and private stakeholders.
He noted that poor waste disposal poses serious environmental and health risks, stressing the need for better waste reduction strategies, legal frameworks, and sustained stakeholder engagement.
Oluwaseyi also identified access to funding as a major challenge for emerging recyclers but expressed confidence that partnerships and training initiatives would open up new opportunities.
Both stakeholders commended the Cross River State Ministry of Environment for organising the workshop, describing it as a crucial step toward youth engagement, environmental sustainability, and the promotion of public-private partnerships.
