Nigerian government has taken a significant step towards tackling a growing, yet often overlooked, environmental problem with the launch of a national initiative to ensure the safe collection and recycling of small batteries.
Unveiled at the Federal Ministry of Environment’s Green Building in Abuja, the programme introduces a structured system for the environmentally sound management of discarded household batteries – ranging from button cells in watches to AA and AAA batteries in remote controls, as well as lithium-ion units powering mobile phones and other portable devices.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, described the initiative as a decisive intervention to address a long-standing gap in Nigeria’s waste management system.
He noted that while larger batteries, such as those used in vehicles, often have a recycling value, smaller batteries are routinely ignored and improperly disposed of, posing serious risks to both public health and the environment.
“These small batteries are deceptively dangerous,” the minister said. “They are easily discarded, yet they contain toxic substances that can contaminate our soil, water, and food supplies. This initiative is about protecting lives – especially those of women and children who are most vulnerable to the impacts of environmental pollution.”
At the heart of the programme is the deployment of specially designed collection receptacles in strategic locations across the Federal Capital Territory, including markets, schools, offices, and transport hubs. The aim is to make safe disposal accessible at the point of use, ensuring that hazardous battery waste does not end up in landfill or informal recycling channels.
The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Alliance for Responsible Battery Recycling (ARBR), the Producer Responsibility Organisation for Nigeria’s battery sector under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework.
Established in 2019, ARBR is tasked with coordinating the collection, transportation, and environmentally compliant recycling of battery waste nationwide.
ARBR representatives highlighted the growing volume of small battery waste, driven by increased technology use and energy access across Nigeria. Despite their widespread use, these batteries often end up in general waste streams at the end of their lifecycle, releasing hazardous materials such as cadmium, mercury, nickel, lithium, and lead into the environment.
“Collection is fundamental to environmentally sound management,” ARBR stated. “Without it, the entire supply chain – from transportation and storage to treatment and recycling – breaks down. This project is designed to ensure that these batteries are captured early and directed into safe, regulated systems.”
Beyond collection, the programme establishes a coordinated downstream process involving the evacuation of collected batteries to central aggregation hubs, from where they will be transported to licensed recycling facilities, including export where necessary under national regulations.
Key partners, including the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN), are expected to play crucial roles in ensuring the system’s efficiency and sustainability.
The initiative is underpinned by Nigeria’s National Policy on Battery Waste Management (2022) and the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulations (2024), which mandate the responsible lifecycle management of batteries in line with global environmental standards.
In a message of goodwill, the Director General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Innocent Barikor, described the launch as a strong demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to meeting its obligations under international environmental agreements, including the Basel Convention on hazardous waste.
He emphasised that the rapid proliferation of battery-powered devices has created an escalating waste stream that demands urgent and coordinated regulatory action.
“This is not just a technical exercise,” Barikor said. “It is a declaration of intent that Nigeria is ready to protect public health and preserve its ecosystems through evidence-based and enforceable solutions.”
He further noted that the initiative builds on groundwork laid under the PROBAMET project, which helped map informal sector activities, identify infrastructure gaps, and raise awareness among stakeholders in the battery supply chain.
Stakeholders at the event commended the Federal Ministry of Environment for its leadership, while also acknowledging the role of international development partners in providing technical and financial support for the project.
Experts say the initiative could also unlock economic opportunities by integrating informal waste collectors into formal systems and advancing Nigeria’s circular economy agenda – where waste is treated as a resource rather than a burden.
As the programme rolls out, officials are urging Nigerians to adopt responsible disposal habits, stressing that the success of the initiative depends not only on infrastructure but also on public participation.
“Every battery properly disposed of is a life protected and an ecosystem preserved,” the minister said. “This is the beginning of a nationwide movement towards cleaner, safer environmental practices.”
The launch marks what stakeholders describe as a critical turning point in Nigeria’s approach to hazardous waste management, with expectations that the model could be expanded beyond the Federal Capital Territory to other parts of the country in the near future.
