Nigeria Faces $1bn Loss Annually from Marine Litter

Nigeria incurs an annual loss of at least $1 billion due to marine litter, primarily from poor waste management practices. In response, the Federal Ministry of Environment and PROTEGO launched a policy brief on Tuesday, aimed at addressing this urgent environmental challenge.

The event brought together government officials, environmental experts, and stakeholders to discuss strategies for preventing marine litter, especially plastic pollution that enters rivers and oceans. Balarab Abba Lawal, representing the ministry, emphasized the threat marine litter poses to biodiversity, public health, and the economy of coastal communities.

The newly launched policy brief provides an evidence-based assessment of Nigeria's current policies and identifies gaps while recommending practical steps for improvement. Falmata Bukar Kolo, Deputy Director of Solid Waste Management, highlighted the need for a holistic approach involving various stakeholders, including the private sector and local communities, to effectively tackle marine pollution and ensure cleaner waterways.