The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to rethink the way waste is generated and discarded, saying the country can create jobs, attract investment and strengthen its response to climate change by developing a circular economy.

The government made the call at the Climate Change and Circular Economy Africa 2026 conference in Abuja, where stakeholders discussed ways to transform environmental challenges into economic opportunities.

Representing the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas-Lawal, the Director of the Department of Climate Change, Dr Inyogwa Adeleye, said Nigeria must move away from the conventional “take, make and dispose” model and embrace systems that keep materials in use for longer.

Climate change is also an economic issue

The minister said climate change should no longer be treated solely as an environmental concern, noting that its effects are increasingly affecting Nigeria’s economy and society.

Changing rainfall patterns, rising temperatures and extreme weather events are putting pressure on food production, livelihoods and economic development, particularly across vulnerable communities in Africa.

He identified renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, recycling, improved waste management, green buildings, cleaner transportation and climate-resilient water systems as areas requiring greater investment.

Waste could become a source of new businesses

Conference convener Zigwai A. Fanda said materials commonly regarded as rubbish could instead serve as valuable inputs for businesses and industries.

She pointed to discarded plastics, electronic equipment, food waste and agricultural residues as examples of materials that could be recovered, recycled or processed into useful products.

According to her, developing a circular economy could open new opportunities for young Nigerians in areas such as recycling, resource recovery, renewable energy and sustainable manufacturing.

Fanda also highlighted the financing required to address climate-related challenges, noting that Nigeria’s latest Nationally Determined Contribution estimates that about $237 billion will be needed between 2026 and 2030 for climate mitigation and adaptation.

She argued that the funding requirement should also be viewed as an opportunity to attract investment and encourage innovation.

Nigeria urged to develop local green technology

The conference also featured calls for Nigeria to develop technologies suited to its own environmental and economic realities rather than depending heavily on solutions developed elsewhere.

Stakeholders encouraged collaboration among government institutions, universities, investors, entrepreneurs and young innovators to develop commercially viable technologies capable of addressing Nigeria’s waste and climate challenges.

Circular economy could unlock $15bn market

Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory, said Nigeria could potentially unlock an estimated $15 billion circular-economy market while creating hundreds of thousands of sustainable jobs.

She said opportunities exist across sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, construction and urban development.

Kingibe also noted that although Africa contributes less than four per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, the continent remains highly exposed to the effects of climate change.

She called for stronger policies supporting extended producer responsibility, tax incentives for green businesses, integrated waste management and climate programmes that take the needs of women into account.

Focus shifts from waste disposal to value creation

The discussions in Abuja point to a growing emphasis on treating waste as an economic resource rather than simply something that needs to be removed.

For Nigeria, expanding recycling, waste recovery and other circular-economy activities could create opportunities for entrepreneurs while reducing environmental pollution.

Stakeholders agreed that achieving this transition will require more than policy announcements. They stressed the importance of investment, technology, effective regulation, job creation and practical programmes capable of delivering benefits to communities.

The broader message from the conference was clear: Nigeria’s waste challenge could also become an opportunity for new industries, businesses and employment if the right systems are put in place.

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