The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has issued a strong warning that the planned ban on single-use plastics (SUPs) by the Lagos State Government could wipe out the livelihoods of over 89% of operators within the plastic value chain.
In a statement released on Monday, MAN Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, called on the government to reconsider the proposed ban and adopt more inclusive, evidence-based approaches to addressing plastic pollution.
“A recent MAN-supported study evaluating the possible impacts of the Lagos State SUPs ban revealed significant adverse economic, operational, and social implications across the value chain—from manufacturers to wholesalers, traders, and end users,” Ajayi-Kadir noted.
He further explained that over 89% of stakeholders in the sector rely on the trade of SUPs as their primary source of income, with no alternative livelihoods in place. The study also revealed that 100% of manufacturers consulted fear the policy could lead to mass workforce restructuring, potentially displacing thousands of workers.
MAN stressed that while it supports environmental sustainability, the transition must be strategically phased to prevent economic disruption and safeguard jobs.
