Health insurance: 24m Nigerians covered in three years - FG

…N249.5bn disbursed to basic healthcare fund

…3,526 PHCs revitalised, 78,054 frontline workers trained

…Maternal deaths fall 60% in supported facilities

By Precious Dipe

The number of Nigerians covered by health insurance has increased from about 16 million to nearly 24 million in three years, the Federal Government has said, highlighting the expansion of financial protection as one of the major gains of its ongoing health sector reforms.

The government also disclosed that it had disbursed N249.5 billion to the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, compared with less than N80 billion released during the fund's preceding 10 years.

The figures were presented at the 2026 Joint Annual Review (JAR) in Abuja, where the Federal Government reviewed three years of implementation of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the reforms were designed to save lives, reduce the physical and financial burden of illness and ensure that more Nigerians could access affordable, quality healthcare.

He said the reforms were anchored on the 2023 Health Sector Compact and the Sector-Wide Approach, which align government and development partner investments around common health sector priorities.

Beyond expanding insurance coverage, Pate said the government had introduced measures to reduce the cost of treating some of the country's most expensive medical conditions.

He disclosed that dialysis costs had fallen by up to 80 per cent for 5,106 patients, while selected cancer medicines were being subsidised. Free emergency medical care within 48 hours was also available across 507 facilities.

On primary healthcare financing, the minister said N249.5 billion had been disbursed to BHCPF gateways, with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission supporting accountability in the utilisation of funds.

He described the disbursement as a significant increase over the less than N80 billion released throughout the fund's preceding decade.

On maternal and newborn health, Pate said the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), implemented through facilities empanelled by the National Health Insurance Authority, had linked 750,000 pregnant women to healthcare facilities.

Emergency transportation services had also conveyed 104,566 women and newborns requiring urgent medical attention.

Under the government's free maternal, newborn and fistula care programmes, almost 100,000 beneficiaries had received services in two years. Of this number, 80,906 accessed emergency obstetric care, while 6,059 received fistula treatment.

The government further reported a 22 per cent reduction in obstetric emergency deaths in participating facilities, while maternal case fatality rates in BHCPF-supported facilities declined by 60 per cent between 2024 and 2026.

On primary healthcare delivery, the minister said 3,526 primary healthcare centres had been revitalised in collaboration with state governments and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, with work ongoing at another 900 facilities.

He added that 78,054 frontline health workers had been trained, while 19,758 skilled birth attendants had been recruited across 22 states and 4,747 community health workers engaged in 10 states.

The government had also doubled pre-service admission quotas for health worker training and selected 1,548 National Health Fellows in two cohorts to support health system development across local government areas.

In immunisation, measles and rubella vaccination had reached 100 million children, while more than 19 million adolescent girls had received the HPV vaccine.

Pate also highlighted investments in specialist healthcare, saying three of the six planned cancer centres in Enugu, Benin and Katsina were operational, alongside 10 diagnostic and specialist centres, through collaboration with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority.

More than 500 infrastructure and equipment projects had also been completed across 60 federal tertiary hospitals within three years.

On local pharmaceutical manufacturing, he said the 2024 Executive Order on pharmaceutical development had supported N24 billion in tax waivers for the sector in 2025 and 2026.

Through the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, 10 factories or manufacturing lines had been commissioned, six of them in 2026. Twelve technology transfer agreements had also been secured, with a prospective investment pipeline exceeding $5 billion.

He said the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control was intensifying efforts against falsified medicines, while the proposed Medipool initiative was expected to aggregate demand and improve access to essential medical products.

On health security, Pate cited Nigeria's recent containment of an imported Ebola case as evidence of the country's public health preparedness and response capacity.

Despite the reported gains, the minister acknowledged that significant challenges remained. He said 12 of 13 assessed health sector indicators had improved, but stunting remained a major concern.

Findings from the People's Voice Surveys showed that the proportion of Nigerians who believed the health system was improving increased from 47 per cent in 2024 to 57 per cent in 2026, while patient-perceived quality of care stood at 71 per cent.

However, affordability, inadequate staffing, remuneration, working conditions and patient safety remained major concerns requiring sustained attention.

Pate said the next phase of reforms would prioritise hospital modernisation, digital health, timely release of healthcare funds and more effective utilisation of available resources.

He called for an increase in the BHCPF allocation to two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund and reforms to excise duties on sugar-sweetened beverages, with proceeds earmarked for healthcare financing.

He also highlighted the 2026–2030 Nigeria–United States health partnership, which envisages nearly $2 billion in grants and an additional $3 billion in Nigerian financing, as part of efforts to strengthen domestic health financing and end dependence on external health assistance by 2030.

The minister said the ultimate test of the reforms would be their ability to translate increased investment into timely, dependable, affordable and quality healthcare for Nigerians.

Editorial consideration: The insurance figure is the strongest lead because it speaks directly to the number of Nigerians gaining financial protection. However, the story should ideally establish whether the increase from 16 million to 24 million represents active enrollees across NHIA and state schemes, or cumulative registrations. That distinction matters when reporting actual insurance coverage.

Nigeria's population hits 244m as fertility remains high despite decades of decline

…Country adds over 200m people in 70 years 

…Average births per woman falls from 6.85 to 4.94 

…Population surge raises pressure on healthcare, jobs, housing

By Seun Greeners 

Nigeria's population has exploded to more than 244 million, nearly six times its size 70 years ago, even as the average number of children born to a woman has declined over the decades, presenting the country with a growing demographic and development challenge.

From about 41 million people in 1955, Nigeria's population has climbed to an estimated 244.3 million, according to Worldometer, reflecting one of the most dramatic demographic expansions in the country's history.

The figures show that Nigeria added more than 203 million people between 1955 and 2026. Yet, behind this remarkable growth is a gradual change in the country's fertility pattern, with the average number of children per woman falling from 6.36 in 1960 to 4.94 in 2025, according to data from Macrotrends.

The decline, however, has not been sufficient to slow population expansion significantly, as Nigeria continues to record high fertility alongside a large and growing population of young people entering their reproductive years.

Macrotrends data show that Nigeria's fertility rate actually increased from 6.36 children per woman in 1960 to a peak of 6.85 in 1980, before beginning a prolonged decline.

It fell to 6.46 in 1990, 6.12 in 2000 and 5.95 in 2010. The decline became more pronounced in the following decade, dropping from 5.50 in 2015 to 4.70 in 2020 and 4.48 in 2023.

However, the figures recorded a reversal, rising to 5.01 in 2024 before settling at 4.94 in 2025. The movement raises questions about the pace and consistency of fertility decline, although the figures alone do not establish the reasons for the change.

Meanwhile, Nigeria's population has continued to climb. From 45 million in 1960, it rose to 73.8 million in 1980, crossed the 100 million mark in the early 1990s and reached 126.4 million in 2000.

The growth accelerated further, with the population increasing to 145 million in 2005, 166.6 million in 2010, 190.7 million in 2015 and nearly 214 million in 2020.

By 2025, it had reached 237.5 million, while the latest Worldometer estimate puts the figure at 244,292,365.

The contrast between declining fertility and continuing population growth is important. Population momentum means that even when women have fewer children on average, a large number of people entering reproductive age can sustain rapid population growth for decades.

The demographic expansion presents enormous opportunities, particularly if the growing population is healthy, educated, skilled and productively engaged. But it also raises difficult questions about the country's capacity to provide adequate healthcare, quality education, decent housing, jobs, food, water and other basic necessities.

For the health sector, the implications are particularly significant. A rapidly expanding population means greater demand for maternal and child healthcare, family planning, immunisation, reproductive health services, disease prevention, hospitals, medical personnel and essential medicines.

The persistently high fertility rate also means that millions of Nigerian women will continue to require access to quality antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric services and postpartum care.

Without corresponding investments in health infrastructure and workforce development, population growth could deepen existing inequalities in access to healthcare, particularly for women, children and vulnerable communities.

The figures also bring renewed attention to reproductive health and family planning. Improving access to voluntary family planning services, reliable contraceptive information and quality reproductive healthcare will be important in enabling individuals and couples to make informed decisions about the timing and number of children they have.

Beyond healthcare, the pressure is evident in expanding urban centres, rising demand for affordable housing, overcrowded schools, unemployment and the need to create opportunities for millions of young Nigerians.

Nigeria's demographic trajectory therefore presents a critical question: can the country expand its investments in health, education, infrastructure and economic opportunities fast enough to match the needs of its growing population?

The answer could determine whether its demographic expansion becomes an economic advantage or a growing burden on already stretched public services.

Ebola: 28 contacts under watch as Nigeria battles multiple disease threats

…No new infection 21 days after imported case …Dengue, chikungunya confirmed in two northern states …NCDC steps up alert over meningitis, Lassa fever

By David Comixx

Three weeks after Nigeria confirmed an imported case of the deadly Bundibugyo strain of Ebola Virus Disease, the country has recorded no new infection. But the reprieve has not eased the pressure on its disease surveillance system, with 28 contacts of the index case still under monitoring and other infectious disease threats emerging across the country.

As health authorities sustain the Ebola response, dengue fever has been confirmed in Sokoto and Zamfara states, while chikungunya has also been detected in Sokoto. The approaching dry season is raising further concerns over meningitis and the seasonal surge in Lassa fever.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, which disclosed this yesterday, said 34 of the 62 contacts identified following the October 20 Ebola confirmation had completed their individual 21-day monitoring period, while the remaining 28 were still under surveillance as of November 9.

Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, said Nigeria had confirmed only one imported case of Bundibugyo Virus Disease, with no additional confirmed infections.

He, however, warned against complacency, insisting that the absence of new Ebola cases must not distract attention from other disease threats requiring urgent surveillance and preparedness.

Idris said NCDC, working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, state governments and partners, had sustained contact tracing, investigation of alerts, laboratory testing, infection prevention measures, safe clinical care and surveillance at points of entry.

He clarified that being identified as an Ebola contact did not mean a person had contracted the disease, explaining that the individual 21-day monitoring period was designed to ensure early identification of symptoms and prompt intervention.

He urged healthcare workers in public and private facilities to remain alert, particularly when attending to patients with fever and other symptoms who have a history of travel or possible exposure.

According to him, Ebola can initially present with symptoms similar to those of common illnesses, making early recognition and prompt reporting critical.

Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is ill, or contaminated materials.

Idris advised anyone developing symptoms after possible exposure to avoid contact with others and call the NCDC toll-free line, 6232, for guidance before travelling to a health facility.

Beyond Ebola, he expressed concern over the spread of dengue fever and chikungunya, warning Nigerians against assuming that every fever was malaria.

He said NCDC had deployed National Rapid Response Teams, including entomologists from the National Arbovirus Research Centre, Enugu, to support Sokoto and Zamfara states with case finding, laboratory investigations, clinical preparedness, community engagement and mosquito control.

Both infections can cause fever, headache, body pains and joint pains, while dengue can become life-threatening when warning signs are missed, he said.

He urged residents to seek medical attention for persistent fever, particularly when accompanied by rash, vomiting or severe joint pains. Severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding and difficulty breathing, he warned, required urgent medical attention.

The NCDC boss also called for intensified environmental sanitation, urging households to drain stagnant water, cover water storage containers, clear discarded tyres and take measures to prevent mosquito bites. He noted that the mosquitoes responsible for transmitting the infections often bite during the day.

On cerebrospinal meningitis, Idris said the agency was strengthening preparedness as the country entered the dry season, when the risk of the disease increases in parts of the meningitis belt.

He called on states to improve disease surveillance, access to diagnostic services, clinical preparedness and vaccination responses where indicated.

Sudden fever accompanied by severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion or altered consciousness, he said, required immediate medical attention.

Diphtheria also remains a public health concern, particularly among children who have missed routine immunisation, Idris said.

He disclosed that NCDC was supporting states with surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, case management and outbreak response, urging parents and caregivers to check their children's vaccination status and obtain guidance on missed doses.

He warned that fever accompanied by sore throat, neck swelling, difficulty swallowing or breathing required prompt medical assessment, stressing that vaccination and early treatment were essential.

On Lassa fever, the NCDC chief said the agency was preparing for the seasonal increase in cases historically associated with the period, rather than waiting until health facilities became overwhelmed.

He said NCDC was working with states to strengthen surveillance, testing, treatment readiness, infection prevention and protection of frontline health workers.

Idris urged households to protect food from rodents, store food in covered containers and maintain clean surroundings. He also advised people with persistent fever to seek medical attention early and share relevant exposure information with healthcare providers.

With the festive season approaching, he warned that increased travel, concerts, religious gatherings, festivals and other mass events could create additional public health demands.

He urged state governments, event organisers and healthcare providers to plan ahead by ensuring access to basic medical assistance, maintaining proper hygiene and sanitation, and establishing clear arrangements for recognising and reporting suspected infectious diseases.

Travellers and participants at large gatherings were also advised to follow public health guidance, seek medical attention when unwell and avoid crowded events if experiencing symptoms.

Idris called on state governments to sustain investments in disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, treatment facilities and community engagement, stressing that frontline health workers needed adequate funding, equipment, supplies and logistical support.

He also urged public and private health facilities to report suspected cases promptly and protect their personnel through appropriate infection prevention measures.

For Nigerians, he advised early medical attention, full childhood vaccination, protection against mosquitoes and rodents, cooperation with public health response teams and avoidance of unverified information about disease outbreaks.

For guidance or to report suspected cases, members of the public were advised to contact NCDC on 6232 or their respective state public health authorities.

"Early detection saves lives. Preparedness protects communities. Everyone has a role," Idris said.

Nigeria tops global ranking as food takes 56% of consumer spending

By David Comixx

Nigeria has emerged as the country with the highest share of consumer spending devoted to food, with households allocating 56 percent of their expenditure to food purchased for home consumption, according to data attributed to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The figure places Nigeria ahead of Myanmar, where food accounts for 55 percent of consumer spending, and Laos at 54 percent, highlighting the substantial share of household resources devoted to meeting basic food needs in the countries at the top of the ranking.

Kenya ranks fourth at 49 percent, followed by Turkmenistan and Tanzania at 46 percent each. Uzbekistan accounts for 45 percent, while Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire record 43 percent apiece. Kazakhstan completes the top 10 at 42 percent.

The data, published in a ranking attributed to the USDA’s Economic Research Service for 2025, measures spending on food purchased for consumption at home. It excludes meals eaten outside the home, alcohol and tobacco.

At the other end of the ranking, the United States and Singapore record the lowest shares at six percent each, followed by the United Kingdom and Ireland at eight percent apiece. Canada and Australia record 10 percent each, while the United Arab Emirates stands at 11 percent. Germany, Norway and Brazil each record 12 percent.

The wide gap between Nigeria and the lowest-ranking countries illustrates the differing proportions of household spending devoted to food. However, the figures alone do not establish the causes of the differences or directly measure food insecurity, poverty or the affordability of specific food items.

For Nigeria, where food is a major component of household budgets, the finding puts renewed focus on food affordability and the pressure that essential consumption places on disposable income.

The figures are rounded. The original USDA dataset and its methodology should be consulted to establish the precise reference period, country coverage and comparability of the estimates.

Stomach infection, cancer risk: Experts seek African solutions to H. pylori

…As AHMSG leads calls for stronger research, diagnosis & Africa-specific treatment strategies

 

 

By Admin

 

 

With Helicobacter pylori infection affecting more than half of the world's population and prevalence rates in parts of Africa exceeding 80 percent, medical experts are intensifying calls for stronger African-led research, improved diagnosis and more effective treatment strategies to tackle the growing public health challenge.

 

The bacterium, which colonises the stomach and can persist for years without obvious symptoms, is associated with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Yet, despite its widespread presence across the continent, gaps in surveillance, limited access to diagnostic facilities and growing antibiotic resistance continue to complicate efforts to control the infection.

 

Africa records some of the world's highest H. pylori prevalence rates, often exceeding 80 percent in some populations, compared with 25 to 50 per cent in high-income countries.

 

Although most infected people may not develop symptoms, the infection can lead to significant complications. An estimated 10 to 20 percent of infected individuals develop peptic ulcer disease, gastritis or duodenitis, while a smaller proportion develop gastric adenocarcinoma or other serious complications.

 

Of particular concern is antimicrobial resistance, which threatens the effectiveness of commonly prescribed treatment regimens. Findings raise concerns about the continued reliance on empirical antibiotic prescriptions without adequate knowledge of local resistance patterns, potentially contributing to treatment failure and repeated exposure to antibiotics.

 

Against this background, African and international experts are set to converge on Lusaka, Zambia, from November 27 to 28, 2026, for the 2nd African Helicobacter pylori and Microbiota Scientific Conference, organised by the African Helicobacter and Microbiota Study Group (AHMSG).

 

The conference is expected to provide a platform for examining the changing landscape of H. pylori infection, its implications for gastrointestinal health in Africa and the urgent need for research and treatment approaches that reflect the continent's peculiar health challenges.

 

At the forthcoming conference, Emeritus Professor Colm O'Morain of Trinity College Dublin and Tallaght University Hospital, Ireland, will deliver the keynote address on "The Next 40 Years of H. pylori: Opportunities and Challenges."

 

His presentation is expected to examine emerging scientific developments, unresolved questions and opportunities for improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the infection.

 

Another prominent speaker, Professor Yoshio Yamaoka, an internationally recognised physician, microbiologist and researcher specialising in H. pylori and gastrointestinal cancer-associated pathogens, will address "Collaborative Research in Africa: Current Progress and Future Perspectives."

 

His presentation is expected to draw attention to the importance of stronger research partnerships, scientific capacity development and greater African participation in global investigations into H. pylori and related diseases.

 

Goodwill messages from Professor Peter Malfertheiner, a Richen Symposium, oral scientific presentations and panel discussions will also feature at the two-day conference, holding at the Grand Palace Hotel, Lusaka, amidst awards and prizes for outstanding oral presentations, the formal handover of AHMSG's presidency and a meeting of the group's board members.

 

In a statement announcing the conference, AHMSG President, Professor Mashiko Setshedi, said the gathering would provide an important opportunity to advance scientific exchange and strengthen collaboration among African and international researchers.

 

AHMSG has positioned itself as a continental platform for advancing research, strengthening professional collaboration and developing Africa-specific approaches to the prevention, diagnosis and management of H. pylori infection.

The Group was established to address the peculiar challenges of H. pylori infections and gastric health in Africa, with a focus on developing research-driven approaches and clinical guidelines suited to the continent.

The initiative took shape in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a network of African medical scholars began meeting virtually to address concerns that existing international clinical guidelines for managing H. pylori infections did not adequately reflect Africa’s socioeconomic and healthcare realities.

The challenges include inadequate local research funding, poor access to healthcare services and underdeveloped diagnostic infrastructure, which often limit the effective diagnosis and treatment of the infection.

Following the consultations, AHMSG was formally established and inaugurated in June 2022, in Lagos, by the then Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Professor Babatunde Lawal Salako.

The initiative was spearheaded by Professor Stella I. Smith, then Director of Research at NIMR and a renowned microbiologist, who became the group's founding president.

Conceived as a continental scientific collaboration, AHMSG brought together leading medical researchers, scholars and board members from several African countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal and Tanzania.

Its formation was aimed at strengthening research collaboration, knowledge sharing and scientific responses to H. pylori infections and related gastrointestinal health challenges across the continent. The group also seeks to promote the development of Africa-specific guidelines for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of the infection, with the ultimate goal of reducing associated conditions such as stomach ulcers and gastric cancer

23 states commit funds to fight neglected tropical diseases as Nigeria targets $7m boost

By Admin

Nigeria is stepping up efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), with 23 states now providing dedicated budget lines for the diseases, up from 19 in 2025, as the country seeks to unlock an additional $7 million in international funding through improved domestic financing in 2027.

The development comes amid growing pressure on federal and state governments to translate political commitments into actual budgetary allocations and timely releases to accelerate the fight against diseases that continue to cause disability, disfigurement and deaths, particularly in underserved communities.

At the High-Level Meeting on NTDs held in Abuja in late October, Kano State committed an additional N100 million towards tackling snakebite envenoming, while Kaduna State indicated plans to increase its 2027 budgetary commitment to NTDs by 50 per cent.

The commitments signal growing state-level recognition of the need to take greater financial responsibility for controlling and eliminating the diseases, which account for a significant proportion of Nigeria's disease burden.

Nigeria accounts for about 25 per cent of Africa's total NTD burden, making it one of the countries most affected by the 21 diseases classified under the neglected tropical diseases group by the World Health Organisation.

The meeting, convened by Uniting to Combat NTDs in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and The Global Fund, brought together Commissioners of Health, lawmakers, programme managers and development partners to mobilise political and financial support ahead of the 2027 budget cycle.

A major concern raised at the meeting was the poor release of approved funds, which continues to undermine implementation of NTD control and elimination programmes.

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Health, Hon. Amos Magaji, acknowledged the funding challenge, pledging to push for stronger prioritisation of NTD interventions in the health budget from 2027.

He said: “For some time now, budget releases have been very poor. But efforts have been made not only to have budgets released for NTDs but to ensure that diseases like these are prioritised in health budgets.”

Magaji also committed to securing a significant portion of basic healthcare provision funds for NTD interventions going forward.

Beyond increased domestic allocations, Nigeria is looking to leverage international financing opportunities, with timely releases of state-level counterpart funds potentially unlocking an additional $7 million from the Reaching the Last Mile Fund for 2027.

The funding opportunity is expected to expand the reach of interventions and strengthen the country's efforts towards meeting the WHO's 2030 NTD elimination targets.

National Coordinator for NTDs at the Federal Ministry of Health, Adebayo Peters, said Nigeria had recorded considerable progress in reducing the number of people affected by the diseases, attributing the gains to government commitment and support from implementing partners.

“We have been able to drastically reduce the number of people affected by these diseases. The efforts to eliminate NTDs are successful because of the contributions we are getting both from the government and our implementing partners,” he said.

According to the Expanded Special Project for the Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases, ESPEN, Nigeria has freed 89.7 million people from the need for treatment for lymphatic filariasis, one of the country's major NTDs.

The country also mobilised about N200 million in its 2025 national health budget to tackle snakebite envenoming, a neglected public health emergency that continues to threaten lives, particularly among rural and farming communities.

Head of Resource Mobilisation at Uniting to Combat NTDs, Gerald Ogoko, said the increase in states with dedicated NTD budget lines reflected growing momentum in domestic financing.

He disclosed that 19 states established dedicated budget lines totalling more than $1 million in 2025, compared with 23 states reporting such allocations in 2026.

Ogoko urged state governments and legislators to sustain the momentum by expanding the number of participating states and ensuring NTD interventions receive priority in the 2027 budget process.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of aligning federal and state spending priorities under a common financing and monitoring framework to ensure that approved funds translate into actual interventions.

With Nigeria carrying a quarter of Africa's NTD burden, stakeholders say sustained domestic financing, timely budget releases and stronger accountability will be critical to ending the cycle of neglect surrounding the diseases.

For millions of people in vulnerable communities, the challenge is no longer simply getting governments to make funding promises, but ensuring that the money is released and reaches those who need treatment and preventive services.

Editorial note: I have retained the figures and commitments in the supplied material. The distinction between 23 states having dedicated budget lines and actual release of the funds is important. Also, the $7 million should be presented as potential funding conditional on timely domestic fund releases, not as money already secured.

Ooni urges FG to enforce recycling laws as plastic waste chokes environment

By Precious Dipe 

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has challenged the Federal Government to move beyond recycling policies on paper and enforce environmental regulations to tackle Nigeria's growing plastic waste crisis.

The monarch warned that indiscriminate disposal of plastic bottles and other waste materials was threatening the environment, blocking drainage channels and undermining efforts to keep communities clean.

He spoke at the official opening of Polysmart Packaging Ltd.'s expanded recycling facility in Ogun State, where he expressed concern over the persistent habit of dumping refuse on roads, in drains and other public spaces.

Oba Ogunwusi, who commended the company for investing in waste recycling and environmental protection, questioned why keeping public spaces clean remained difficult in Nigeria, unlike countries where environmental laws are strictly enforced.

He noted that plastic waste posed a particular challenge because of its slow decomposition rate, warning that improper disposal would continue to worsen environmental pollution and sanitation problems.

The monarch's call comes as Nigeria struggles with the growing volume of plastic waste generated daily, much of which ends up in landfills, drainage systems, waterways and the ocean.

Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer of Polysmart Packaging Ltd., Wasiu Balogun, said the company's newly expanded $60 million facility would significantly increase the country's capacity to recycle plastic waste.

Balogun said the company began operations in 2013 with an initial capital of N2 million but had since expanded to meet growing demand for plastic waste recycling.

He said the company would work with relevant regulatory agencies to improve plastic waste management and support manufacturers in complying with environmental regulations.

As part of efforts to strengthen collection, Balogun disclosed plans to establish a network of collection agents across Nigeria's 774 local government areas, creating a wider system for recovering discarded plastic materials.

According to him, the facility would process 100,000 tonnes of mixed plastics annually at full capacity, equivalent to approximately 6.5 billion PET bottles or 15 million bottles daily.

He said the investment would help divert millions of discarded bottles from landfills, prevent open burning and reduce the volume of plastic waste washed into the Atlantic Ocean.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Polysmart Packaging Ltd., Niyi Yusuf, described the facility as a major investment in Nigeria's industrial and environmental future, saying it demonstrated confidence in the country's manufacturing sector.

Yusuf described the plant as Africa's largest food-grade recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) facility, adding that its operations could position Nigeria as a major recycling hub in West Africa.

He said improving Nigeria's recycling system would require more than private sector investment, stressing the need to strengthen extended producer responsibility policies and develop the infrastructure required to collect, sort and process waste.

Citing Germany, South Korea and the Netherlands as examples, Yusuf said Nigeria could draw lessons from countries that have developed more effective recycling systems through stronger producer responsibility frameworks and sustained investment in waste management infrastructure.