By Frank Momoh
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and the National Environmental Standards Regulatory Agency (NESREA) have concluded agreement to launch strategic partnership aimed at tackling Nigeria’s waste management crisis.
The framework is primed at and repurposing waste materials into valuable secondary raw materials for industrial use.
During a recent courtesy visit, RMRDC’s Director-General, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, met with NESREA’s Director-General/CEO, Dr. Bariate Barikor, to discuss ways to address the country’s alarmingly low recycling rates.
Statistics showed that currently, only 4.5% of waste materials in Nigeria are recycled into secondary raw materials, leaving the vast majority to contribute to environmental degradation and public health risks.
Ike-Muonso, stressed the urgency of collaboration to promote a circular economy in Nigeria, where waste is seen not as a burden, but as a resource.
He explained that the potential of repurposing waste into valuable materials for industrial production, thus reducing the dependence on primary resources and minimizing environmental impact.
To drive this transition, RMRDC has established a Center for Circularity and Pre-Purposing, designed to facilitate the conversion of waste into secondary industrial raw materials.
In response, Barikor, expressed strong support for the partnership, emphasizing that it would greatly enhance NESREA’s efforts in collecting data to better understand waste pollution, mitigate environmental hazards, and develop a comprehensive recycling database.
He noted that the collaboration would also help identify new opportunities for the exploitation and sustainable use of waste materials, which could ultimately fuel growth in Nigeria’s industrial sector whilst attracting other strategic partnerships from other relevant stakeholder agencies required to drive the agencies objectives on reduction of carbon footprints in the country through proper standard practices.
“The partnership between NESREA and RMRDC is a significant step towards promoting sustainable development in Nigeria.” Barikor averred.
According to him, by working together, Nigeria can generate essential data to combat waste pollution, improve recycling processes, and contribute to the growth of a circular economy in Nigeria, he added.
Both agencies have pledged to form a strategic committee that will outline a clear roadmap for their collaboration.
This includes working with the private sector to ensure a reliable supply of secondary raw materials to Nigeria’s industries, ensuring resource conservation, and fostering environmental sustainability.
Mr. Chukwuma Ngaha, Director of Communication and Public Relations at RMRDC, in a statement made available to the media on Tuesday, said: “The RMRDC-NESREA partnership marks a critical milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards reducing waste, creating value from discarded materials, and embracing a sustainable circular economy.”
The collaboration, he said will play a pivotal role in transforming Nigeria’s industrial landscape while addressing environmental challenges, supporting long-term development and providing job opportunities for Nigerian youths.
