The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), has launched the National Waste Marketplace Programme (NWMP) — a landmark initiative designed to convert waste streams into economic assets and strengthen Nigeria’s circular economy.
The programme, developed in collaboration with RecycleStack, was officially unveiled on Thursday during a sensitisation workshop in Abuja. Speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, described the NWMP as a “practical step towards modernising Nigeria’s waste management system and mainstreaming circular economy principles.”
According to Lawal, the digital platform will formalise the nation’s waste value chain by connecting waste generators, collectors, aggregators, and recyclers to end-users through a transparent, traceable, and technology-driven system.
He explained that the platform will foster environmental compliance, resource recovery, and sustainable production and consumption patterns, while also creating economic linkages across Nigeria’s recycling ecosystem.
“As we advance towards a circular economy, it is essential to recognise that environmental protection is not only a regulatory obligation but also a driver of innovation and green growth,” Lawal said.
“The National Waste Marketplace shows how regulatory reform, private sector participation, and technological innovation can work together to deliver both environmental and economic benefits.”
In his remarks, NESREA’s Director-General, Prof. Innocent B. Barikor, highlighted that the initiative will create verified market linkages, improve traceability, and support a regulated secondary materials market.
He added that NESREA will train and certify thousands of Nigerian youths and micro-enterprises in circular business models under the programme — a move expected to generate green jobs and stimulate sustainable growth.
“Beyond technology, the NWMP embodies a vision of a Nigeria where waste management drives innovation, youth empowerment, and green enterprise,” Barikor said.
“The programme aligns with our Extended Producer Responsibility framework, ensuring all stakeholders — producers, recyclers, collectors, and consumers — play defined roles in protecting our environment and conserving natural resources.”
The NWMP represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s environmental reform agenda, reinforcing the government’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and inclusive economic development.
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