Ifenna Ilechukwu

Plastic pollution is a major problem in Nigeria. Recent research identified the country as a plastic pollution hotspot, second to India. India emits 9.3 million tonnes of plastic into the environment each year – one fifth of the global total. Nigeria emits 3.5 million tonnes annually. Just how big is the issue and what can be done about it? The Conversation Africa has published various articles by academics on the country’s plastic pollution problem and how it should be tackled.

Plastic pollution is a prevalent issue across the globe. Countries in Africa are no exception. The state of plastic pollution in parts of Africa is dramatic as a result of weak policies and indiscriminate dumping of solid waste. In 2015, five African countries (Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Algeria and Morocco) are listed among the top 20 nations with the highest mismanaged plastic waste. Each generates between 0.31 and 0.97 million tonnes per year.