The European Commission has received a request from Nigeria, along with 23 other non-OECD nations, to join the exclusive list of countries eligible to import non-hazardous waste from the European Union. This controversial move comes under the EU’s new Waste Shipments Regulation—a cornerstone of its Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan.
Non-hazardous waste, which makes up approximately 95.6 percent of Europe’s solid waste, includes everyday items such as packaging, clothing, bottles, and plastics, as well as construction debris like concrete, bricks, and stones. With a full ban on the export of plastic waste set to take effect by November 2026, the regulation signals a dramatic shift in waste management policies.
Nigeria, in its bid for inclusion, must now prove that it can handle the influx of waste in an environmentally responsible manner. Detailed assessments are underway to ensure that applicant countries meet or exceed EU standards. The first list of approved nations is scheduled to be finalized by November 2026, with exports to any country not on the list to be banned from May 2027.
Critics argue that while the deal may offer economic and environmental benefits, it also raises serious concerns about Nigeria becoming a dumping ground for Europe’s waste. Late submissions of applications, allowed beyond the February 2025 deadline, further complicate the issue, casting doubts on the transparency and readiness of the process.
As the debate intensifies, Nigeria’s bid to join the waste import list stands as a provocative test of its environmental policies and economic resilience. Stay tuned to Newspot Nigeria for more updates on this unfolding story.
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