Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria) has decried the nation’s decision to apply for the importation of “non-hazardous” waste from the European Union (EU).
This move, according to the research group, is “deeply troubling”, adding that the country already struggles with weak enforcement, lack of data arising from poor budgetary allocation, inadequate recycling infrastructure, and the absence of engineered sanitary landfills.
“With dumpsites overflowing and waste increasingly polluting water bodies, this decision could further aggravate public health and environmental challenges,” disclosed the organisation.
SRADev Nigeria says its latest finding reveals that Nigeria responded to receiving non-hazardous wastes amongst some non-OECD countries from the EU pursuant to Article 42 of Regulation 2024/1157 on shipments of waste from the EU after May 21, 2027. In this regard, Nigeria is ready to receive waste streams categorises as: Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF), Paper Waste, Textile Waste, Rags and Fly Ash.
Dr. Leslie Adogame, Executive Director of SRADev Nigeria, frowned at the move, stating: “Nigeria is battling a huge solid waste crisis, yet we are now opening our doors to foreign waste like; fly-ash, textile & rags, and paper, under the guise of it being ‘non-hazardous.’ This is unacceptable and reflects poor governance, a lack of environmental foresight, and an outright disregard for public health. Our priority should be managing our existing waste, not acceding to importing more. If the waste is non-hazardous, then why do we trade in less developed countries of the world.”
Lack of Transparency and Risk of ‘Waste Colonialism’
Nigeria has yet to ratify the Bamako Convention (Africa’s own Convention) and the Basel Convention – BAN Amendment, which explicitly prohibits hazardous waste imports into and within Africa. The Bamako Convention has a stricter definition of hazardous waste than the Basel Convention where many of the EU waste fall in the scope of hazardous waste under Bamako Convention that prohibits importation of such waste into Africa. Nigeria without the capacity to properly classify imported waste, there is no guarantee that toxic or hazardous materials will not slip through under misleading classifications, said Adogame.
SRADev Nigeria is concerned about the lack of transparency surrounding this decision. Mr. Jeremiah Ato, Policy and Technical Officer at SRADev Nigeria, emphasised: “This is a clear case of Waste Colonialism, where wealthier nations offload their waste burden onto countries with weaker regulations. The Nigerian government as well as the EU must be fully transparent about this agreement and prioritize its citizens’ health and environmental well-being over external economic interests.”
Nigeria’s Reputation at Stake Ahead of BRS Regional Meeting
According to SRADev, this decision also puts Nigeria’s credibility at risk ahead of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Regional Meeting holding in Lusaka, Zambia, from March 18-20, 2025, where 54 African countries will discuss among other chemicals and waste issues affecting the region such as; waste trade controls, including Y-48 and Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF).
Dr. Adogame further emphasised: “At a time when global discussions on waste trade controls are intensifying, Nigeria’s decision to import waste raises serious concerns. Y-48, which refers to plastic waste under Annex II of the Basel Convention, requires special regulatory consideration due to its environmental risks, particularly in countries like Nigeria that already struggle with plastic pollution.
“Similarly, RDF, while promoted as an alternative energy source, poses significant environmental concerns due to emissions, ash residues, and the potential presence of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). If Nigeria is currently grappled with existing waste, how can we guarantee the proper handling of imported waste like RDFs?”
Violation of Nigeria’s Climate Commitments
SRADev believes that the decision directly contradicts Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets for the waste sector, which emphasise reducing emissions through improved waste management and circular economy practices.
“By agreeing to import waste, Nigeria risks increasing its carbon footprint, undermining its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, and deviating from its national waste reduction strategies,” disclosed Adogame.
Call for a National Stakeholders Intervention Meeting
SRADev Nigeria is calling for an urgent review of the decision by the National Chemicals Management Committee (NCMC), acting as the clearing house on issues of chemicals and waste, to examine the implications and ensure transparency. This forum which already exist involve key government agencies, civil society organisations, environmental experts, industry stakeholders, and the media to help align Nigeria’s policies with its commitments under the Basel Convention and its amendments.
Adogame called on “the EU to act responsibly by ensuring that its waste export policies (according to article 41 of the regulation 2024/1157) do not place an undue burden on developing nations. The health and environmental well-being of over 200 million Nigerians should take precedence over economic or trade considerations. Therefore, the EU has a duty to make decisions that align with global sustainability goals and uphold environmental justice.”
He added: “Nigeria must take a decisive stand against hazardous and unchecked waste trade to safeguard its environmental future and protect its citizens from worsening waste management challenges.”