By Danjuma Amodu | March 29, 2026
The Federal Government has taken a significant stride in promoting sustainable plastic waste management with the commissioning of a Pilot Plastic Waste Collection Centre in Jabi, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This was disclosed in a statement issued by Abubakar Evuti, Media and Communications Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Environment, in a post on his X handle.
The centre, part of the UNIDO project “Promoting Sustainable Plastic Value Chains through Circular Economy Practices,” funded by the Government of Japan, aims to reduce plastic leakage into the environment while creating value from waste.
During the commissioning ceremony, Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling plastic pollution and transitioning to a circular economy.
He described the Jabi facility as a practical demonstration of how government, international partners, and the private sector can collaborate to turn waste into resources, create jobs, and protect the environment for future generations.
The facility, operated by Chanja Datti Company Limited, will serve as a model for efficient plastic waste collection, sorting, and initial processing in the Jabi district.
The project aligns with Nigeria’s National Policy on Plastic Waste Management and broader efforts to integrate circular economy principles into industrial and municipal waste systems. It is expected to strengthen recycling capacity in the FCT and serve as a replicable model for other parts of the country.
Japan’s support for Nigeria’s environmental sustainability goals and UNIDO’s role in facilitating technical assistance and equipment provision underscore the international community’s commitment to Nigeria’s environmental goals.
The centre’s establishment is expected to have a ripple effect, inspiring similar initiatives across the country. Minister Lawal noted that the project demonstrates the Federal Government’s resolve to address the pressing issue of plastic waste, which has ravaged Nigeria’s environment.
The facility will not only collect and sort plastic waste but also provide a platform for recycling and converting waste into valuable products, thereby creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. The involvement of Chanja Datti Company Limited, a local operator, highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in driving environmental sustainability.
The event was attended by officials from the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, and other stakeholders, who lauded the initiative and pledged their support for its success.
Nigeria generates over 2.5 million tons of plastic waste annually, with a significant portion ending up in landfills or waterways. The Federal Government has made commitments to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable waste management practices, including the development of a National Policy on Plastic Waste Management.
The policy aims to promote the use of recyclable materials, improve waste collection and disposal systems, and encourage public participation in waste management efforts.
The Jabi Pilot Plastic Waste Collection Centre is seen as a key step towards achieving these goals, demonstrating the government’s commitment to addressing plastic pollution and promoting a circular economy. The project’s success is expected to inform the scaling up of similar initiatives across the country.
