FG, UN unveil $15m electronic waste initiative

The Federal Government, Global Environment Facility and United Nations have launched a $15million initiative to kick off a circular electronics system in Nigeria.

The initiative tagged “Circular Economy Approaches for Electronics Sector in Nigeria”, aims to reform the electronics sector and put an end to the toxic toll improper management of electronic waste is taking on Nigeria.

Over half a million tonnes of discarded appliances are processed in the country every year, threatening both the health of people in the informal recycling industry and the nation’s environment.

Championed by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the initiative will bring together players from government, the private sector and civil society to kick-start a financially self-sustaining circular economy.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of the Environment, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, said the project would also support the E-waste Producers Responsibility Organization (EPRON) – a key initiative of the federal government to promote sustainable production. The Director General of NESREA, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, said the project would establish a guidance disposal system for electronic waste and how it could be used resourcefully to benefit the economy.