The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the Federal Government and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to suspend plans to ban certain categories of single-use plastics, warning that the proposed regulation could have severe consequences for manufacturers, businesses, consumers and the broader economy.
The association argued that while environmental sustainability remains an important national objective, the proposed restrictions under the National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations 2026 could undermine industrial growth, threaten jobs and discourage investment if implemented in their current form.
Industry Raises Concerns Over New Plastic Regulations
At the centre of the controversy is a proposal to prohibit the production, distribution and use of single-use plastic products with a thickness below 80 microns. The draft regulation also seeks to impose taxes on shopping bags with wall thicknesses ranging between 30 and 50 microns.
MAN said the policy, though well-intentioned, risks creating significant disruptions across Nigeria's manufacturing landscape.
In a statement issued on Monday, the association maintained that the proposal lacks sufficient empirical evidence to justify such sweeping restrictions and warned that implementation at this stage could create more economic challenges than environmental benefits.
Existing Investments at Risk
According to MAN Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the proposed 80-micron threshold would require extensive changes to existing manufacturing operations.
"The implementation of an 80-micron threshold would require substantial changes in manufacturing processes, machinery configurations, and raw material consumption. Such changes could render existing investments obsolete, increase production costs significantly, reduce competitiveness, and expose manufacturers to substantial capital losses," Ajayi-Kadir said.
The association noted that many manufacturers have invested heavily in machinery and production systems designed around current industry standards. A sudden regulatory shift, it argued, could force businesses to undertake expensive upgrades or abandon existing equipment entirely.
Impact Could Extend Beyond Manufacturers
MAN stressed that the effects of the proposed regulation would not be limited to industrial operators.
According to the association, increased production costs would inevitably be transferred to consumers, placing additional pressure on households already struggling with inflation and rising living expenses.
"The consequences extend beyond manufacturers. Increased production costs will inevitably be passed on to consumers, many of whom are already grappling with unprecedented inflationary pressures and declining purchasing power. Small businesses, market traders, food vendors, and informal sector operators who rely heavily on affordable packaging solutions will face additional operational costs, with potentially severe implications for business sustainability and household welfare," Ajayi-Kadir stated.
The association warned that sectors heavily dependent on affordable packaging materials could be particularly vulnerable, potentially affecting food distribution, retail trade and small-scale commerce.
Key Manufacturing Sector Faces Uncertainty
MAN described the plastic manufacturing industry as one of Nigeria's largest light manufacturing segments, supporting hundreds of factories and thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises nationwide.
The industry also serves as a critical supplier to multiple sectors, including:
- Food and beverage production
- Pharmaceuticals
- Agriculture
- Petrochemicals
- Retail and wholesale trade
- Logistics and transportation
- Recycling and waste management
The association cautioned that disruptions within the plastics sector could create ripple effects throughout the wider economy.
Warning Against Deindustrialisation
The manufacturers' body further argued that the proposed ban runs counter to Nigeria's industrialisation agenda.
According to Ajayi-Kadir, policies that weaken domestic production capacity could inadvertently encourage greater dependence on imported alternatives, undermining government efforts to promote local manufacturing and reduce import reliance.
"At a time when Nigeria is pursuing industrialisation, job creation, import substitution, and export diversification, policies that undermine domestic manufacturing capacity should be carefully reconsidered," he said.
MAN also warned that reduced industrial activity could negatively affect government revenues through lower tax collections, reduced investments and potential job losses.
Calls for Existing Roadmap to Be Implemented First
The association pointed to the 2024 Plastic Circularity Roadmap, developed under the National Plastic Action Partnership in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, as a more sustainable framework for tackling plastic pollution.
The roadmap focuses on improving waste collection systems, expanding recycling infrastructure, promoting Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiatives and strengthening public awareness campaigns.
However, MAN argued that many of the roadmap's recommendations have yet to be fully implemented.
"It is therefore difficult to understand why the government is proceeding with a new prohibition regime without first evaluating the effectiveness of existing measures and implementing the agreed roadmap designed specifically to address plastic pollution in a sustainable and inclusive manner," Ajayi-Kadir said.
Demand for Evidence-Based Policy
A major concern raised by the association is the absence of publicly available data evaluating the effectiveness of previous restrictions on single-use plastics.
"There is no evidence showing the extent to which earlier bans have reduced environmental pollution, improved waste collection rates, enhanced recycling performance, or changed consumer behaviour. Public policy should be driven by evidence, measurable outcomes, and stakeholder consultation rather than assumptions," Ajayi-Kadir stated.
MAN maintained that regulatory decisions should be based on measurable outcomes and broad stakeholder engagement rather than policy assumptions.
Lessons From Other Countries
The association also cited international experiences to support its position.
According to MAN, countries including Kenya, Bangladesh, South Africa and India have recorded mixed outcomes following bans on certain plastic products, including factory closures, employment losses and continued circulation of prohibited products through informal markets.
Conversely, the association noted that countries such as Germany, South Korea and the Netherlands have achieved more sustainable environmental outcomes through investments in recycling infrastructure and effective Extended Producer Responsibility systems rather than outright prohibitions.
Plastic Pollution Is a Waste Management Problem, MAN Says
Rather than focusing primarily on restricting production, MAN argued that Nigeria should prioritise strengthening waste collection, sorting and recycling systems.
"Plastic pollution should be addressed at its source through effective waste management and resource recovery systems. The challenge lies not in the production of plastics, but in the inefficient collection, sorting, recycling, and disposal of post-consumer waste," Ajayi-Kadir said.
The association believes improving waste management infrastructure would deliver more lasting environmental benefits while preserving industrial activity and employment.
Manufacturers Seek Suspension and Further Consultation
As part of its recommendations, MAN urged NESREA and the Federal Government to suspend implementation of the proposed regulation pending a comprehensive Regulatory Impact Assessment.
The association also called for:
- A thorough evaluation of previous plastic restrictions
- Full implementation of the 2024 Plastic Circularity Roadmap
- Strengthening of the Extended Producer Responsibility framework
- Creation of a broad stakeholder working group involving government, manufacturers, environmental experts and civil society organisations
According to MAN, a collaborative and evidence-based approach would allow Nigeria to address environmental concerns without undermining economic growth and industrial competitiveness.
"Nigeria must pursue environmental sustainability without sacrificing industrial growth, economic competitiveness, employment, and social welfare. Effective regulation should strike a balance between environmental protection and economic development," Ajayi-Kadir added.
The debate is expected to intensify in the coming weeks as regulators, manufacturers and environmental advocates continue discussions on how best to tackle Nigeria's growing plastic waste challenge while safeguarding jobs and investment.