The Nigerian government has launched the National Waste Marketplace Programme (NWMP), a digital initiative aimed at promoting sustainable environmental management, economic prosperity, and a cleaner future for Nigerians.
The platform is an innovative online system designed to formalise Nigeria’s waste value chain by connecting waste generators, collectors, aggregators, recyclers, and end-users within a transparent and traceable framework.
Speaking at the official unveiling in Abuja, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said the initiative would leverage technology to create economic linkages across the recycling ecosystem while enhancing environmental compliance, material recovery, and sustainable consumption and production patterns.
“As we advance towards a circular economy, it is essential to recognise that environmental protection is not only a regulatory obligation but also a driver of innovation and green growth,” Lawal said. “The National Waste Marketplace demonstrates how regulatory reform, private sector participation, and technological innovation can converge to deliver environmental and economic benefits. It will foster transparency in material flows, strengthen data availability for environmental planning, and improve investor confidence in Nigeria’s recycling industry.”
He noted that the initiative aligns with the National Policy on Solid Waste Management, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme, and the National Circular Economy Roadmap. It also supports Nigeria’s commitments under global environmental frameworks such as the Basel Convention, the Paris Agreement, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDGs 12 and 13 on responsible consumption, production, and climate action.
Lawal urged stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector players, recyclers, investors, civil society organisations, and young people to take ownership of the initiative. “By working together, we can build a more organised waste management system that promotes accountability, creates employment opportunities, and supports our national efforts towards a cleaner and more sustainable environment,” he said.
The Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Professor Innocent Barikor, described the NWMP as a platform that would connect all key actors in the waste management value chain while ensuring traceability and accountability.
He reaffirmed NESREA’s commitment to providing the regulatory framework, coordination, and enforcement required to sustain the programme’s impact. “Let this programme stand as a demonstration of what is possible when government, the private sector, and citizens unite under one purpose — to turn waste into wealth, protect our environment, and secure a cleaner and healthier Nigeria for future generations,” Barikor said.
Barikor added that beyond technology, the NWMP represents a vision of Nigeria where waste management drives innovation, youth empowerment, and green enterprise. The programme aligns with the EPR framework implemented by NESREA, ensuring that producers, recyclers, collectors, and consumers play clearly defined roles in safeguarding the environment and conserving natural resources.
He said the platform would create new economic opportunities by providing verified market linkages, improving traceability in recycling, and supporting the development of a regulated secondary materials market. “Through this initiative, we aim to train and certify thousands of Nigerian youths and micro-enterprises in circular business models, thereby creating decent green jobs and stimulating sustainable growth,” he said.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Recycle Stack Limited, Nkem Orakwe, described the programme as a transformative step toward formalising Nigeria’s waste management ecosystem. He explained that the initiative seeks to empower 10 million Nigerians by 2035 through training, certification, and integration into a formalised circular economy.
“Waste is becoming wealth, and that is why we are introducing this programme,” Orakwe said. “It intends to revolutionise Nigeria’s waste management landscape by enabling skills training, certification, and data-driven insights. This initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda, promoting green jobs, sustainable urban development, and environmental stewardship across the country.”
