The Federal Government has announced a partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic water sachets in Nigeria, as part of renewed efforts to address plastic pollution while safeguarding access to safe drinking water.
The Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Innocent Barikor, disclosed this on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at the Inception Meeting of the GEF Child Project 11193 held in Abuja.
Speaking on the objectives of the initiative, Barikor explained that the project, titled Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution in Nigeria, is aimed at significantly reducing the use of plastic sachet water without compromising Nigerians’ access to potable water.
He described the inception meeting as a major milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against plastic pollution, noting that although single-use plastic sachets have become a convenient source of drinking water for many Nigerians, they now pose a serious environmental challenge.
According to him, Nigeria consumes over 2.5 billion litres of sachet water annually, produced by more than 32,000 manufacturers nationwide. While this has helped to bridge gaps in access to safe drinking water, Barikor said the resulting plastic waste has led to blocked drainage systems, flooding, ecosystem degradation, and growing public health risks.
Barikor stressed that GEF Child Project 11193 represents a strategic and transformative intervention that aligns with Nigeria’s national environmental priorities and NESREA’s mandate to protect the environment for present and future generations.
“Our collective action today is a step toward a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Nigeria. Together, we can turn the tide on plastic pollution and protect our ecosystems for generations to come,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Scientific Officer at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mrs. Zuliat Mohammed, reaffirmed her ministry’s readiness to collaborate with NESREA to ensure the success of the project. She said the initiative would support Nigeria’s efforts to eliminate single-use plastic products from the environment and promote sustainable alternatives.
The GEF-UNEP-supported project is expected to drive circular economy solutions, reduce plastic waste, and strengthen inter-agency collaboration in Nigeria’s quest for a cleaner and healthier environment.
