Editorial
WED: Reducing Plastic Waste Generation
More than 150 nations took part in the commemoration of the 2023 World Environment Day (WED) on the 5th of June, a day that witnessed millions of individuals engaging in both physical or virtual events. Annually, on the 5th of June, countries and establishments globally observe the occasion with a theme that fosters awareness on environmental challenges and encourages recommendations aimed at safeguarding our ecosystems.
This year’s World Environment Day is centred around the potent theme of “Beat Plastic Pollution.” It serves as a reminder that individual actions towards plastic pollution hold immense significance and highlights the need for viable solutions through the #BeatPlasticPollution campaign. Celebrated since 1974, WED stands as a United Nations endorsed international day, aimed at promoting global awareness and initiatives towards environmental protection.
The world is currently experiencing a surfeit of plastic. According to reports, the annual production of plastic exceeds 400 million metric tons, with 50 per cent of it created to be utilised solely once. Moreover, less than 10 per cent of plastic is recycled. A projected 19-23 million metric tons wind up in bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and seas. At present, plastic disrupts landfills, seeps into water bodies, and transforms into dangerous smoke when incinerated. It is clear that plastic pollution poses a serious threat to the earth.
Microplastics have the capacity to permeate the food we consume, as well as the water and air we inhale. Plastic products contain dangerous additives that have the potential to endanger our well-being. The scientific community has developed remedies to tackle this problem. However, it is necessary that the public exerts pressure on governments, corporations, and other stakeholders to accelerate and hasten their efforts in eradicating this crisis. This highlights the transcendence of WED in driving action and engagement from all corners.
Plastic pollution poses a serious threat to human health, economic stability, and the environment and must not be disregarded. Immediate action must be taken. In addition, the world needs genuine, effective, and robust solutions. Within the framework of several plastic policies, countries must demonstrate unwavering dedication to reducing the production and usage of single-use plastic, which should be replaced with durable and sustainable alternatives.
In Nigeria, unregulated disposal of waste, inadequate oversight, and disproportionate employment of plastic are resulting in unprecedented levels of pollution. The deleterious effects of plastic are detrimental to the environment and public wellbeing in the nation. Given that plastic waste is non-decomposable, it endangers the aquatic and fauna ecosystems, water supplies, and cultivable lands. So, it can be inferred that plastic waste has an injurious impact on both the environment and its denizens.
The Federal Government has reportedly instituted a 10 per cent tax on single-use plastics, also known as disposable plastics, commonly used for packaging, in anticipation of the nation’s proposed ban on plastics set for 2028. These plastic products are used only once before being disposed of or recycled and include a range of items such as nylon carry bags, grocery bags, food packaging, bottles, straws, containers, cups, and cutlery.
As the most populous country in Africa, Nigeria bears the brunt of plastic waste generation, leading to it becoming a hotbed of waste pollution. A report by Voice of America in 2019 revealed a staggering 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste being generated per year. Furthermore, the World Economic Forum reported that approximately 200,000 tonnes of plastic waste is discharged into the ocean each year. Disturbingly, Nigeria’s annual plastic production was anticipated to rise to 530,000 tonnes by 2022.
Regrettably, Nigeria currently lacks a national policy on plastic waste management. Although a bill was passed by the House of Representatives in May 2019 to ban plastic use, it was not signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari. In January 2021, the country announced its decision to join the World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership. However, despite these efforts, there has been little noticeable change in the situation.
To eliminate plastic waste, Nigeria must join the global movement. Actions need to be scaled up if the country hopes to combat the menace of plastic waste pollution. We must look at legal frameworks at the local and international levels. At the local level, a bill to ban plastic use should be passed into law. At the international level, a global plastics treaty that promotes a holistic approach to plastic waste is the way to go.
Targeted programmes could be encouraged to tackle plastic pollution, particularly those linked to the oceans. Specifically, this calls for programmes aimed at improving waste disposal behaviour. Stakeholders in the plastic recycling sector have stressed the importance of positive consumer behaviour towards waste disposal. This is if plastic pollution is to be resolved in the country.
All hands must be on deck. Both the public and private sectors must be involved in the process and must be willing to work together. Plastics may be an environmental challenge, but they are also a path to immense opportunities. They can be a source of many jobs, and they are reused as raw materials for the production of other goods. Collaboration is indispensable in the fight for sustainability.
Water sachets and bottles have proliferated in Nigeria following a lack of potable water in many homes. The government needs to educate the public about the dangers of discarding these sachets and bottles in the environment. And it must ensure access to clean water. People who visit beaches, riverbanks, parks, and waterfalls frequently dump their plastic bottles carelessly, despite the dangers such plastics pose to the environment.
The Nigerian government should impose a substantial fee on plastic bags distributed at malls and markets. This measure will dissuade individuals from disposing of them after a single use. It is the responsibility of citizens and leaders to ensure a sustainable environment for future generations. Several countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, have already taken steps to combat plastic pollution. Nigeria must follow suit and take immediate action to protect our environment.
The recent massacre in Yelewata, Benue State, ranks among Nigeria’s deadliest attacks of
2025. While official figures put the death toll at 59, media reports and Amnesty International estimate between 100 and 200 fatalities. This atrocity extends a decade-long pattern of violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where Beacon Security data records 1,043 deaths in Benue alone between May 2023 and May 2025.
President Tinubu’s visit on 18 June—four days after the 14 June attack—has drawn sharp criticism for its lateness. This delay echoes a history of inadequate responses, with Human Rights Watch documenting similar inaction in Plateau and Kaduna states since 2013, fuelling a culture of impunity. The attack lasted over two hours without meaningful security intervention, despite claims of swift action.
The violence bore hallmarks of genocide, with survivors recounting systematic house burnings and executions. More than 2.2 million people have been displaced in the region since 2019 due to comparable attacks. Data show Benue’s agricultural output falls by 0.21 per cent in crops and 0.31 per cent in livestock for every 1 per cent rise in violence.
Security forces continue to underperform. No arrests were made following the Easter attacks in April (56 killed) or May’s Gwer West massacre (42 killed). During his visit, Tinubu questioned publicly why no suspects had been detained four days after Yelewata, highlighting entrenched accountability failures.
The roots of the conflict are complex, with climate change pushing northern herders south and 77 per cent of Benue’s population reliant on agriculture. A Tiv community leader described the violence as “calculated land-grabbing” rather than mere clashes, with over 500 deaths recorded since 2019.
Government interventions have largely fallen short. The 2018 federal task force and 2025 Forest Guards initiative failed to curb violence. Tinubu’s newly announced committee of ex-governors and traditional rulers has been met with scepticism given the litany of past unkept promises.
The economic fallout is severe. Benue’s status as Nigeria’s “food basket” is crumbling as farms are destroyed and farmers displaced. This worsens the nation’s food crisis, with hunger surges in 2023-2024 directly linked to farming disruptions caused by insecurity.
Citizens demanding justice have been met with force; protesters faced police tear gas, and the State Assembly conceded total failure in safeguarding lives, admitting that the governor, deputy, and 32 lawmakers had all neglected their constitutional responsibilities.
The massacre has drawn international condemnation. Pope Leo XIV decried the “terrible massacre,” while the UN called for an investigation. The hashtag “200 Nigerians” trended worldwide on X, with many contrasting Nigeria’s slow response to India’s swift action following a plane crash with similar fatalities.
Nigeria’s centralised security system is clearly overwhelmed. A single police force is tasked with covering 36 states and 774 local government areas for a population exceeding 200 million. Between 2021 and 2023 alone, 29,828 killings and 15,404 kidnappings were recorded nationally. Proposals for state police, floated since January 2025, remain stalled.
Other populous nations offer alternative models. Canada’s provincial police, India’s state forces, and Indonesia’s municipal units demonstrate the effectiveness of decentralised policing. Nigeria’s centralised structure creates intelligence and response gaps, worsened by the distance—both physical and bureaucratic—from Abuja to affected communities.
The immediate aftermath is dire: 21 IDP camps in Benue are overwhelmed, and a humanitarian crisis is deepening. The State Assembly declared three days of mourning (18-20 June), but survivors lack sufficient medical aid. Tragically, many of those killed were already displaced by earlier violence.
A lasting solution requires a multi-pronged approach, including targeted security deployment, regulated grazing land, and full enforcement of Benue’s 2017 Anti-Open Grazing Law. The National Economic Council’s failure to prioritise state police in May 2025 represents a missed chance for reform.
Without decisive intervention, trends suggest conditions will worsen. More than 20,000 Nigerians have been killed and 13,000 kidnapped nationwide in 2025 alone. As Governor Hyacinth Alia stressed during Tinubu’s visit, state police may be the only viable path forward. All 36 states have submitted proposals supporting decentralisation—a crucial step towards breaking Nigeria’s vicious cycle of violence.
Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 marked a watershed moment in the nation’s political history. After enduring nearly 16 years of successive military dictatorships, Nigerians embraced a new era of civil governance with the inauguration of President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999. Since then, the country has sustained a democratic system for 26 years. But, this democratic journey has been a complex mix of progress and persistent challenges.
The formal recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged a long-standing injustice. The annulment of the 1993 presidential election, Nigeria’s freest, betrayed the democratic aspirations of millions. That it took decades to honour this date reflects the nation’s complex relationship with its democratic memory.
One of the most momentous successes of Nigeria’s democracy has been the uninterrupted civilian rule over the last two and a half decades. The country has witnessed seven general elections, with power transferring peacefully among different political parties. This is particularly notable considering that prior to 1999, no civilian government had completed a full term without military intervention. The peaceful transitions in 2007, 2015, and 2023 are testaments to Nigeria’s evolving democratic maturity.
Electoral participation, while uneven, has also reflected a level of democratic engagement. In 2003, voter turnout stood at about 69 per cent, but this figure dropped to approximately 34.75 per cent in 2023, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Although the declining turnout raises concerns, it also highlights the increasing expectations of the electorate, who demand credible and transparent elections.
Another area of progress is the growth of a vibrant and free press. Nigerian media has played a crucial role in holding governments accountable and fostering public discourse. Investigative journalism and civil society activism have exposed corruption and human rights abuses. The rise of social media has further expanded the democratic space, enabling young Nigerians to mobilise and advocate for change, as evidenced by the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
Judicial independence has seen mixed results. On one hand, the judiciary has occasionally demonstrated resilience, such as in landmark rulings that overturned fraudulent elections or curtailed executive excesses. On the other hand, allegations of political interference and corruption within the judiciary persist, undermining public confidence in the legal system’s impartiality.
Nigeria’s democracy has also facilitated the decentralisation of power through the federal system. State governments now wield some autonomy, allowing for experimentation in governance and service delivery. While this has led to innovative policies in some states, it has also entrenched patronage networks and uneven development across the federation.
Despite these successes, Nigeria’s democratic journey faces formidable problems. Electoral integrity remains a critical concern. Reports from election observers, including those from the European Union and ECOWAS, frequently highlight issues such as vote-buying, ballot box snatching, and violence. The introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results in 2023 elections showed promise, but technical glitches and alleged manipulations dampened public trust.
Corruption continues to be a pervasive issue. Nigeria ranks 145th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, with a score of 25/100. Democratic institutions meant to check graft—such as anti-corruption agencies and the legislature—often struggle due to political interference and weak enforcement mechanisms.
Security challenges have also strained Nigeria’s democracy. Insurgency in the North East, banditry in the North West, separatist agitations in the South East, and herder-farmer conflicts across the Middle Belt have collectively resulted in thousands of deaths and displacements. According to the Global Terrorism Index 2024, Nigeria ranks as the eighth most impacted country by terrorism. The government’s difficulty in ensuring safety erodes public confidence in the state’s capacity and legitimacy.
The economy poses another critical remonstrance. Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita stands at approximately $2,400 as of 2024, with over 40 per cent of the population living below the national poverty line. High unemployment and inflation have fueled discontent and disillusionment with democratic governance, especially among youth. Without addressing economic grievances, the democratic dividend will remain elusive for many Nigerians.
Ethnic and religious divisions further complicate Nigeria’s democratic consolidation. Politicians often exploit identity politics for electoral gains, exacerbating social tensions. Although federal character principles aim to promote inclusiveness, they have also sometimes fostered a quota mentality rather than merit-based appointments.
Gender representation remains inadequate in Nigeria’s democratic institutions. Women occupy less than 10 per cent of seats in the National Assembly, one of the lowest rates globally. Efforts to pass gender parity bills have faced stiff resistance, highlighting deep-seated cultural and institutional barriers to female political participation.
Civil liberties, while constitutionally guaranteed, are under threat. Crackdowns on protesters, restrictions on press freedom, and surveillance of activists reveal an authoritarian streak within the democratic framework. The controversial Twitter ban in 2021 exemplified the country’s willingness to curb digital freedoms, prompting domestic and international criticism.
The political crisis in Rivers State embodies broader democratic struggles. Attempts to control the state through undemocratic means expose weaknesses in federal institutions and the rule of law. Immediate restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State is vital to preserving Nigeria’s democratic integrity and institutional credibility.
Local governments remain under the control of state governors, depriving citizens of grassroots democracy. Last year’s Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy is promising, but state-level resistance threatens its implementation. Genuine autonomy would bring governance closer to the people and foster democratic innovation.
As we mark Democracy Day, we must honour the sacrifices of Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Femi Falana, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Pa Alfred Rewane, President Bola Tinubu, and countless others, who fought for Nigeria’s freedom. As democracy in Nigeria continues to evolve after 26 years, this day should inspire action toward its renewal. With despotism and state failure as real threats, both citizens and leaders must take responsibility—citizens by demanding more, and leaders by delivering. Excuses are no longer acceptable.