House Moves to Introduce Green Tax on Plastic Producers to Tackle Pollution
Story: written by Uzuh Rita October 29,2025
The House of Representatives ad-hoc committee set up to address Nigeria’s single-use plastics challenge has recommended the introduction of a green tax targeting manufacturers of polypropylene — a widely used plastic for packaging, disposable containers, woven sacks, and various household products.
At its inaugural sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, the committee chairman, Hon. Terseer Ugbor, said lawmakers are considering new regulations that would encourage recycling and reduce the environmental hazards associated with polypropylene production.
Ugbor described the environmental consequences of the material as alarming, noting that its manufacturing process emits harmful chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde, posing health risks to workers and surrounding communities.
He added that polypropylene is a major contributor to carbon emissions and relies on fossil fuel extraction, while its waste can remain in landfills for centuries, polluting the ecosystem and threatening marine life.
“Nigeria must not continue to ignore this environmental crisis,” Ugbor said. “Industries should account for the impact their products leave on our planet.”
The committee plans to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Environment, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), and other relevant institutions to develop a tax policy that supports sustainable waste management and increases recycling capacity nationwide.
Ugbor also confirmed that public consultations will be held with industry stakeholders — including manufacturers, recyclers, and environmental specialists — to ensure any measures introduced are practical and equitable.
“This initiative goes beyond taxation. It is about accountability, environmental stewardship, and safeguarding the well-being of future generations,” he added.
In 2023, the House had called on the Federal Government to prohibit the manufacture, importation, and use of styrofoam and single-use plastics across the country as part of efforts to tackle escalating plastic pollution
