In commemoration of World Environment Day 2025, SFC Training Academy, with support from Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE) and in partnership with development agencies including UNICEF, brought stakeholders together in Kano to address the rising threat of plastic pollution and promote sustainable environmental practices.
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Held on Thursday, June 5, the event spotlighted this year’s theme, “Ending Plastic Pollution”, and attracted participants from government agencies, civil society, international organisations, and the private sector.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Muhammad Tukur, representing the Registrar of the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, Dr. Yakubu Muhammad Baba, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to improved waste management across the country.
A panel discussion followed, featuring experts such as financial analyst Dr. Garba Bala Magaji; civil society advocate Dr. Hadiza Shettima; Prof. Aliyu Balarabe from Aliko Dangote University’s Center for Climate Change; agribusiness consultant Dr. Bello Abba Yakasai; and Umar Salah Anka, Director of Climate Change at the Federal Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
Anka emphasized the importance of implementing Nigeria’s Climate Change Policy and Implementation Framework, which is currently under review. He advocated for the enforcement of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to hold manufacturers accountable for the lifecycle of their products and promote circularity in production.
“The aim is to get producers thinking in cycles, where waste from one product becomes the raw material for another,” Anka explained, while calling for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors.
UNICEF was also recognized for its instrumental role in fostering multi-sectoral participation. Rahama Rihod Muhammad Farah, Chief of Field Operations for UNICEF in Kano, stressed the devastating health risks posed by plastic pollution particularly to women and children.
“Pollution compromises immunity and contributes to climate-induced diseases. Without urgent action, it could slow national development and worsen mental health challenges,” Farah warned.
Dr. Hadiza Shettima emphasized the need for environmental awareness and behavioral change, urging a shift towards bioplastics and upcycling, while referencing examples such as Plast India International University. Similarly, Prof. Abdulazeez U. Raji, Dean of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Bayero University Kano, called for gradual transitions from single-use plastics to biodegradable and reusable alternatives.
Experts also raised alarms about the health and ecological implications of plastic waste, linking it to microplastics found in human bodies, urban flooding, and climate disruptions. Dr. Bello Abba Yakasai pointed out that Nigeria generates nearly four million metric tonnes of plastic waste annually, an issue that also presents economic opportunities if properly harnessed through investment in recycling industries.
The event celebrated individuals making strides in environmental protection through innovation and community impact.
The event also showcased innovative exhibitions featuring recycled items, including handbags, CD players, miniatures made from PET bottles and cartons, flower vases crafted from old towels, 3D letters, and organic fertilizers demonstrating how waste can be turned into valuable products.
In closing, participants urged for collective action through policy, education, and innovation to reduce plastic waste and build climate resilience.
The initiative, driven by SFC Training Academy with support from PACE, stood out as a crucial step towards mobilising environmental action in Kano.
