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News release

Nigerians see plastic bags as a major source of pollution, support government action to protect the environment, Afrobarometer survey shows

29 Jan 2024 Nigeria
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News release
Key findings
  • Almost two-thirds (63%) of citizens see plastic bags as a major source of pollution in Nigeria (Figure 1).
  • More than half (53%) say pollution is a “somewhat serious” or “very serious” problem in their communities (Figure 2). Citizens say trash and plastic disposal (cited by 27%) and human waste management (26%) are the most important environmental issues in their communities (Figure 3).
  • Almost two-thirds (63%) of Nigerians say the government should be doing more to limit pollution and protect the environment, including 48% who say it needs to do “much more” (Figure 4).

A majority of Nigerians see plastic bags as a major source of pollution in the country and favour government action to protect the environment, the latest Afrobarometer survey shows.

More than half of citizens say pollution is a serious problem in their communities, citing trash and plastic disposal and sanitation as their most important environmental issues.

The Lagos state government last week announced a ban on Styrofoam and other single-use plastics, which it said are clogging drainage channels in Lagos.

Find out more about Nigerians’ views on pollution and environmental governance here.