By the end of 2025, sellers in open markets scattered over Lagos will stop giving out free polythene bags, otherwise called leather, to pack items bought by shoppers.
The enforcement will group Lagos among the countries that have instituted the ban to curb the negative effects expected as the climate changes. As of 2024, around 128 countries have introduced regulations to phase out plastic bags.
Out of these, about 27 countries have completely banned the sale of plastic bags to consumers, while approximately 30 countries have implemented charges or taxes on them to reduce usage. Many African countries are leading in strict enforcement.
For example, Kenya has one of the toughest bans, with heavy fines or even jail time for using plastic bags. Rwanda banned plastic bags back in 2008 and is renowned for maintaining its clean environment. Morocco and Mauritania have also banned them and promote alternatives such as fabric bags.
The commissioner, who admitted that awareness about the ban was low at open markets scattered across the state, noted that engagements are ongoing with the different markets and retail spaces on the ban on Styrofoam and single-use plastics (SUPS).
However, only formal supermarkets such as Shoprite, Spar, Jendol, Addas Mall, and Twinsfaja comply with the implementation, which became effective on January 1, 2025.
Banner placed at Shoprite during the early week of January
These outlets have largely complied with the directive, halting the provision of free nylon/plastic bags and, instead, selling them to customers to package items purchased. Some retail outlets like Jendol Supermarket have taken extra steps to promote reuse by marking bags with serial numbers, though compliance from consumers remains low.
“We sell nylon every day,” a Jendol staff member admitted. “Most customers don’t bring them back; they just pay for new ones.”
While supermarkets have adjusted unevenly, local markets like Ile-Epo, Mile 12, Ojuwoye, Ketu and others continue to give nylon or polythene bags to shoppers free, highlighting a stark disparity in enforcement. There, the state’s directive has yet to make a dent.
Informal traders cite a lack of government engagement and enforcement as reasons for business-as-usual practices. Taiye Alaba at Ilepo market in Alimosho Local Government said many sellers are unaware of the ban on plastic bags.
“We didn’t know about the nylons they were selling. I just heard that Jendol was selling nylons”, she responded to InsideBusinessNG’ inquiries.
An Environmental expert, John Ekoko, raised concerns about this gap, warning that without robust grassroots enforcement and community buy-in, the policy risks becoming symbolic rather than substantive.
“This is a kick-and-follow method,” said Ekoko, former chairman of the Nigerian Environmental Society (Lagos Island Chapter). “There was no groundwork. Suddenly, a ban was declared without preparation or support for market traders.”
Government Ramps Up Awareness and Stakeholder Engagement
In response to mounting criticism, the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources said it has stepped up public engagement efforts.
Speaking to us through a personal chat with InsideBusinessNG on the upcoming market-level enforcement, the Commissioner emphasised the policy’s holistic intent and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to long-term environmental sustainability.
“Beyond their environmental persistence, plastics, especially single-use variants such as polythene bags, pose serious health risks,” Wahab said.
“When improperly disposed of and burned, they release toxic compounds like dioxins and furans, which are known to cause respiratory illnesses, hormonal disruptions, and even cancers. Microplastics, which result from the degradation of larger plastics, are increasingly found in water, food, and the air we breathe, with emerging studies linking their ingestion to inflammatory and metabolic disorders in humans.”
He noted the policy’s broader impacts and said, “The Lagos State policy on plastic waste reduction has catalysed systemic improvements. It has accelerated the development of the circular economy, encouraged investments in recycling and compostable packaging, and led to a gradual reduction of plastic pollution in drainage and water bodies. This contributes significantly to flood control, public health, and urban aesthetics while creating jobs in the waste value chain.”
On the slow adoption in markets, Wahab acknowledged the challenges but insisted that change is coming.
“While initial enforcement has focused on formal retail outlets, plans are underway to extend regulation to open markets and informal commercial spaces, hopefully before the end of this year”, he stated. “However, these sectors present unique challenges, including limited regulation, fragmented vendor structures, and low-cost transactional models. We are engaging market leaders and associations to develop phased, inclusive strategies that do not jeopardise livelihoods but gradually shift behavioural norms.”
He added that the state is scaling up awareness campaigns and acknowledged that awareness levels are not optimal yet. “However, my ministry and its relevant agencies are scaling up advocacy through targeted campaigns in schools, markets, religious institutions, and digital platforms”.
“Going forward, more resources will be directed toward strategic partnerships with media, civil society, and local influencers to deepen public understanding and compliance. We remain committed to building a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos through innovation, enforcement, and inclusive policy design”, he stated.
Stakeholder Meeting Highlights Market Challenges and Opportunities
At the April 14 stakeholders’ sensitisation hosted by LAWMA, with market leaders in attendance, speakers emphasised innovations such as biogas production from organic waste, warning against reliance on informal waste collectors. The meeting also demonstrated practical proper bagging techniques and containerised storage to traders, offering them hands-on tools for compliance.
The interactive session revealed challenges, including poor enforcement, public dumping, and inefficiencies by some private sector operators. LAWMA officials pledged to improve oversight, support recycling initiatives, and scale public education campaigns.
As Lagos gears up to enforce its plastic ban beyond high-end stores, all eyes are on how effectively the state can engage grassroots vendors and shift public behaviour. Analysts say this next phase will be the true litmus test of the policy’s impact.
“This isn’t just about banning plastic,” Ekoko reiterated. “It’s about building infrastructure, changing habits, and making the right choice the easy choice.”
With renewed political will and increased community involvement, Lagos may finally be positioned to turn its plastic pollution problem into a model of environmental reform.
