The Federal Government has officially launched the National Waste Marketplace Programme (NWMP), a digital initiative aimed at promoting an inclusive circular economy and improving sustainable waste management across Nigeria.
The NWMP is designed to formalize the nation’s waste value chain, linking waste generators, collectors, aggregators, recyclers, and end-users through a transparent and traceable system.
The platform seeks to convert waste into economic assets while ensuring environmental compliance and resource recovery.
Speaking at the unveiling on Thursday in Abuja, Minister of Environment Balarabe Lawal, represented by Mr. Yunus AbdulGaniyu, Director of Pollution and Control at the ministry, said the platform would strengthen economic linkages across Nigeria’s recycling ecosystem.
“By leveraging technology, the platform will create economic opportunities, promote material recovery, and foster sustainable production and consumption patterns,” Lawal stated.
He noted that millions of tonnes of recyclable materials, including plastics, metals, paper, glass, organics, and electronic waste, are lost annually to indiscriminate disposal, causing environmental and economic challenges.
The minister added that the NWMP aligns with Nigeria’s National Policy on Solid Waste Management, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme, and the National Circular Economy Roadmap.
“Environmental protection is not only a regulatory obligation but also a driver of innovation and green growth,” he said.
Professor Innocent Barikor, Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), hailed the programme as a bold step toward advancing circular economy principles.
He explained that NWMP would provide verified market linkages, improve recycling traceability, and support the development of a regulated secondary materials market.
“Through this initiative, we aim to train and certify thousands of Nigerian youths and micro-enterprises in circular business models, creating green jobs and fostering sustainable growth,” Barikor added.
Mr. Nkem Orakwe, Founder and CEO of Recycle Stack Nigeria Ltd, also praised the initiative, highlighting the global shift toward viewing waste as a resource rather than a liability.
He noted that technology is central to revolutionizing sustainable waste management in Nigeria.
The National Waste Marketplace Programme represents a significant step by the Nigerian government to harness digital solutions for one of the country’s pressing environmental challenges while simultaneously unlocking economic potential from the waste sector.
