Stakeholders in Nigeria’s environmental sector have emphasized the need for collaboration among government, private sector, and communities to address the country’s plastic pollution and climate challenges.
This call to action was part of resolutions during a panel discussion titled “Strategies for Reducing Plastic Pollution,” held in Kano as part of activities marking World Environment Day 2025.
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The discussion highlighted the importance of prioritizing recycling, supporting circular economy initiatives, and empowering young people to transform Nigeria’s waste crisis into an opportunity for sustainable growth.
According to the Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano, Mr. Rahma Rihood Mohammed Farah, climate change threatens children’s health, education, and future opportunities.
He urged the government to place children and youth at the center of climate policy discussions.
“Climate change negatively affects children’s nutrition and cognitive development, undermining the country’s future workforce,”
“Nigeria could lose up to 30% of its GDP if climate change remains unaddressed.”
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The Team Lead Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement PACE Kano, Malam Auwalu Hamza stressed the importance of fostering functional systems to enhance climate resilience, support democratic institutions, and promote inclusive, sustainable economic growth.
“PACE-FCDO works at the nexus of governance and climate to influence Nigeria’s response to both governance challenges and climate change,”
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Environment, Director of Climate Change (MoECC) Mal Umar Saleh Anka explained that plans have reached advanced stage to establish a circular economy hub that will train producers and polluters in sustainable recycling practices.
“We’re committed to collaborating with producers and other stakeholders to design recycling strategies that reduce plastic pollution,”
In his presentation titled “Community-Led Initiatives for Reducing Plastic Waste and Sustainable Alternatives to Single-Use Plastics the Dean of the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences Bayero University Kano BUK, Professor Abdulazeez U. Raji, highlighted the staggering scale of plastic use, with 9.2 billion tons produced globally since 1950.
“Industries often overlook their environmental footprints,Eco-friendly packaging is no longer a trend; it’s a necessity.”
He called on industries to take responsibility for their environmental impact.
The event also featured a debate by secondary school students on the role of government and businesses in reducing plastic waste pollution, and award presentation to deserving individuals for their contributions to environmental sustainability.
The event themed: Ending Plastic Pollution was organized by Kano MoECC, SFC,PACE,UNICEF,Green Rising and Generated unlimited 9JA.