The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has vehemently voiced its concerns regarding the Lagos State government's impending ban on certain single-use plastics (SUPs), slated to take effect from July 1, 2025. MAN's Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, issued a statement on June 23, 2025, describing the policy as lacking credible data and being out of touch with the current socio-economic realities in Nigeria.

According to MAN, this proposed ban poses a severe threat to the livelihoods of approximately 89% of operators within the plastic value chain in Lagos State, who primarily depend on plastic manufacturing and trading for their income. A study commissioned by MAN revealed significant adverse economic, operational, and social implications across the entire value chain, impacting manufacturers, traders, and even end-users. The association highlighted that these operators have no alternative income sources, suggesting a potential loss of income for countless individuals and their workforce. Furthermore, 100% of manufacturers consulted expressed deep concern that the ban would lead to mass workforce layoffs. Recycling companies are also projected to suffer due to feedstock shortages, jeopardizing their operations and potentially leading to loss of export earnings for manufacturers.

MAN argues that the Lagos State Ministry of Environment's decision to ban SUPs is based on unsubstantiated claims of adverse health and environmental impacts, without any published studies to support these assertions. The association decried the policy's lack of comprehensive background data and wider stakeholder engagement, pointing out that 93% of affected businesses, many owned by women, have no knowledge or support mechanisms to mitigate the ban's impact. Ajayi-Kadir emphasized that the core issue is the mismanagement of plastic waste, not plastic itself, and criticized the government for choosing an "easy way out" instead of addressing the root cause.

In light of these concerns, MAN has proposed alternative, more sustainable solutions. The association criticized the introduction of the Lagos State Plastic Waste Fund, advocating instead for the strengthening of the existing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme, noting that over 40 of its member companies are already part of the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance. MAN stressed the importance of achieving plastic circularity through a life-cycle, contextually relevant, and systemic approach, considering societal, behavioral, and environmental factors, as outlined in Nigeria's National Plastic Action Roadmap and the 2023 National Plastic Waste Control Regulation draft. This framework, developed through participatory consultation, emphasizes inclusive and evidence-based solutions. MAN recommends a balanced strategy comprising evidence-based policymaking driven by context-specific data, inclusive stakeholder engagement that integrates perspectives from manufacturers, traders, and waste managers, a shift towards circular economy practices, government support for local alternatives, infrastructure development, and collaborative governance. The association also cautioned against adopting external policies without proper contextual adaptation.

In response to MAN's criticisms, Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, refuted claims of non-stakeholder engagement. She stated that the government had indeed engaged producers and stakeholders prior to announcing the ban's effective date, and that the policy included a one-year moratorium precisely to allow for thorough stakeholder dialogue. The Lagos State Government further clarified the scope of the ban through Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources. On May 20, 2025, he confirmed that the ban, effective statewide from July 1, 2025, after an 18-month moratorium, specifically targets certain single-use plastics and does not apply to water sachets, PET bottles, or nylon carrier bags thicker than 40 microns. This clarification aimed to address widespread confusion regarding the policy's reach.

The ongoing debate highlights a critical tension between environmental protection efforts and their potential socio-economic consequences, with stakeholders advocating for different approaches to plastic waste management in Lagos State.