Nigeria formalizes informal waste sector
Analysis based on 6 articles · First reported May 08, 2026 · Last updated May 11, 2026
The implementation of the Cooperative-Led Extended Producer Responsibility Model by Nigeria — National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency in Nigeria is expected to formalize the informal waste sector, leading to improved environmental sustainability and economic inclusion. This could positively impact companies involved in waste management and recycling in Nigeria by creating a more structured and compliant ecosystem.
The Nigeria — National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency in Nigeria has introduced a Cooperative-Led Extended Producer Responsibility Model to formally integrate informal waste workers into the country's waste management system. This initiative, announced by Director General Innocent Barikor, aims to provide informal waste collectors, sorters, and recyclers with legal identity, financial access, social protection, and environmental compliance support. The model is designed to strengthen Nigeria's Extended Producer Responsibility implementation and improve environmental data systems. Peter Ayim of the Nigeria Environmental Stewardship Cooperative Society highlighted the model as a pathway for a scalable, inclusive circular economy in Nigeria, addressing challenges faced by informal waste workers such as economic vulnerability and lack of formal recognition. Countries like Brazil, Colombia, India, South Africa, and European Union member states have successfully implemented similar cooperative-led systems.
Set up alerts, explore entity relationships, search across thousands of events, and build custom intelligence feeds.
Open Dashboard