Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has warned that improper plastic waste disposal poses significant risks to food security across the West African sub-region.
Speaking at the opening ceremony for the validation of the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on plastic management and the ECOWAS initiative on economic integration through trade, environment, and agriculture, Lawal disclosed that the region generates more than two million tonnes of plastic waste annually, a large portion of which ends up in waterways.
He said the rising plastic pollution threatens food security, climate resilience, public health, and economic livelihoods.According to him, the validation of the Regional Action Plan offers a harmonised framework for transitioning to sustainable plastic production and consumption, strengthening Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanisms, advancing circular economy value chains, promoting regional standards and compliance, and supporting innovation and green job creation.
Lawal added that ECOWAS is adopting an integrated approach linking trade policies, agriculture, environmental standards, and industrialisation. He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the objectives of the regional action plan, noting that the Federal Ministry of Environment is strengthening national policies and collaborating with other member states to harmonise standards and build capacity.Also speaking, the Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mrs. Damtien Tchintchibidja, cited the 2024 FAO State of Food Security Report, which revealed that 12 per cent of West Africa’s population is currently food insecure. The ECOWAS, she said, is committed to advancing regional strategies that promote renewable energy, sustainable land use, and resilience against climate shocks.She said, “Agriculture remains the backbone of our economies, employing millions and ensuring food security. Guided by the ECOWAS Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP), our interventions aim to modernize production, strengthen value chains, and promote agribusiness that is inclusive and competitiveFurthermore, we are advancing the West Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health initiatives, which are critical for improving productivity, restoring degraded lands, and ensuring sustainable food systems. “By investing in soil health and fertiliser access, we are laying the foundation for resilient agriculture that can feed our people and create jobs for our youth and women,” she said
