Business
Lagos Residents Warn: Plastic Ban Could Trigger Job Losses and Water Crisis
Residents of Lagos State are expressing concerns about the government’s proposed ban on single-use plastics (SUPs) and sachet water, warning that it could lead to widespread unemployment and disrupt key economic activities.
In various interviews, locals have called on the Lagos State Government to reconsider this decision, fearing the long-term effects on businesses and livelihoods, particularly in low-income communities.
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, recently announced the state’s intention to enforce the ban by January 2025 during a stakeholder workshop.
The policy aims to address the environmental hazards caused by plastic waste, which takes centuries to degrade.
The state is working in collaboration with private-sector organizations to identify alternatives to single-use plastics, such as styrofoam containers, and is also promoting research into eco-friendly technological solutions.
While environmentalists praise the move for addressing Lagos’ growing waste management problem, industry players, small business owners, and workers fear that the ban may lead to massive job losses, particularly in the manufacturing, distribution, and retail sectors.
Thousands of people depend on the production and sale of sachet water and plastic packaging for their income. Many are now uncertain about their future.
Akinyemi Bolaji, Sales Manager at Aremson Water Ltd. in Ojo First Gate, noted that many workers would be impacted by the ban.
He urged the government to explore alternative strategies that won’t lead to mass unemployment.
Bolaji questioned the rationale behind the ban, given the widespread reliance on sachet water as an affordable water source.
He called for better options for managing plastic recycling rather than an outright ban.
He also suggested that the government invest in education campaigns on proper waste disposal and provide more public trash bins to tackle Lagos’ drainage problems, which are often exacerbated by plastic waste.
For many Lagosians, sachet water, commonly referred to as “pure water,” is not only convenient but also vital for addressing public health concerns like cholera outbreaks.
A retail water seller, Mrs. Vera Osiyemi, expressed skepticism over the practicality of the ban, arguing that sachet water has been essential in combating diseases caused by unclean water.
According to her, a ban would likely force the city back to less hygienic practices like selling iced water in uncovered bowls.
Instead of a ban, she recommended the government focus on educating the public on proper disposal methods and reintroducing the widespread availability of bins, much like in past years.
Mrs. Afusat Ajibola, another seller, echoed these concerns, stressing that without adequate access to clean, affordable water, the ban could exacerbate health issues in Lagos.
Ajibola warned of a potential cholera outbreak if sachet water is banned without an effective alternative in place.
She doubted that the government’s efforts would succeed without addressing broader public health concerns tied to water accessibility.
Similar sentiments were shared by Miss Joy Okafor, a retailer who pointed out that plastic sachets are not the only source of blocked drainage systems in Lagos.
She noted that other types of disposable packaging also contribute to the problem.
Okafor raised concerns about whether the government would be able to provide sufficient clean water for every household and street in Lagos if the ban goes through.
She believes the government should tackle the issue of plastic disposal more directly rather than implement a full ban, which would likely result in job losses for many Lagosians who depend on selling sachet water.
Chinedu Eze, a long-time water distributor, said he is unsure what the future holds for his business if the ban takes effect.
For many like Eze, sachet water is more than just a product; it’s a critical source of income.
He emphasized that the ban could have devastating effects on the water distribution industry and the broader economy, particularly for those who have built their livelihoods around this trade.
A street vendor, identified as Mummy Boma, highlighted how selling sachet water allows her to feed her children and pay for their school fees.
She stressed that bottled water is too expensive for many consumers, as well as for small-scale sellers like herself who rely on high turnover to make a living.
Instead of banning sachet water, she recommended that the government enforce stricter regulations on manufacturers to ensure better quality control and hygiene standards.
From a public health perspective, medical professionals are also weighing in.
Dr. Olufemi Adeyemi, a Lagos-based physician, warned that an abrupt ban on sachet water could lead to reduced access to potable water for many residents.
While acknowledging that some sachet water may be contaminated due to poor regulation, Adeyemi emphasized that the government needs to provide alternative safe water sources before implementing such a ban.
He suggested that instead of banning sachet water outright, the state should invest in public water systems, ensuring clean and reliable water in both urban and rural areas.
According to him, such infrastructure could reduce the population’s dependency on sachet water and prevent the unintended health crises that could follow the ban.
Although the proposed ban is part of Lagos State’s broader environmental strategy, it is clear that the implementation will have far-reaching consequences for various sectors of the economy.
The key challenge now is finding a balance between environmental sustainability and economic survival for the thousands of Lagosians whose lives are tied to the production, sale, and consumption of sachet water and other single-use plastics.
Many residents hope that the government will take a more measured approach, exploring solutions that address both environmental and social concerns, such as improving waste management systems and ensuring access to clean, affordable water for all.
High street fashion retailer Superdry is closing its Bradford Broadway store today, marking another chapter in the ongoing challenges faced by traditional retail outlets. The store is hosting a significant clearance sale, offering customers substantial discounts as it prepares to shut its doors for good.
This closure is part of a trend affecting the UK’s high streets. In 2024, approximately 13,479 retail stores closed across the country, equating to an average of 37 closures per day—a 28% increase from the previous year. The Centre for Retail Research anticipates that this trend will continue, forecasting around 17,350 retail site closures in 2025.
Several factors contribute to these widespread closures:
- Shift to Online Shopping: Consumers are increasingly favouring online shopping platforms, reducing foot traffic in physical stores.
- Rising Operational Costs: Retailers are grappling with escalating expenses, including higher national insurance contributions and increased minimum wage requirements.
- Economic Pressures: High inflation rates have led to reduced consumer spending, impacting retailers’ revenues.
Other retailers, such as Beales and New Look, are also closing various branches due to financial pressures. Beales, for instance, will close its last remaining store in Poole on May 31, while New Look plans to shut nearly 100 outlets.
The decline in traditional high street shopping has resulted in significant job losses, with nearly 170,000 retail jobs lost in 2024 alone, marking the highest annual loss since 2020. Experts predict that 2025 may bring even worse outcomes for retail jobs and store closures.
Dangote Refinery has reduced its ex-depot price for premium motor spirit (PMS) to N815 per litre. This adjustment follows a drop in fuel landing costs, which recently fell to N774.82 per litre, lower than Dangote’s previous ex-depot price of N825 per litre.
Industry insiders have confirmed the price reduction, although Dangote Refinery has not made any official statement about it.
Chinedu Ukadike, the spokesperson for the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, acknowledged the change. He explained that speculation about lower prices for imported products is fueling the competition. He added that since Dangote has a large supply of fuel, reducing prices helps to protect its market share.
It’s unclear whether this reduction will affect the pump price at Dangote-affiliated stations like MRS, which currently sells petrol at N860 per litre in Lagos and N880 in Abuja.
In recent months, Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited have been locked in a competitive price battle.
Meanwhile, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association recently met with the Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, to push for more stable and competitive fuel prices.
In early 2025, Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape underwent significant changes as major service providers—MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile—implemented substantial increases in their data tariffs.
These adjustments, some exceeding 200%, were introduced following the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) approval of a 50% tariff hike, aiming to address escalating operational costs faced by telecom operators.
NCC’s 50% Tariff Increase Approval
In January 2025, the NCC granted permission for a 50% increase in tariffs, responding to the telecom operators’ appeals to mitigate rising expenses and sustain service quality. This decision marked the first tariff adjustment since 2013, reflecting the need to balance operational costs with revenue generation.
MTN Nigeria
MTN Nigeria implemented extensive price adjustments across its data plans, with some popular offerings experiencing increases of up to 200%. Below is a detailed breakdown of the changes:
1. 15GB Digital Bundle Weekly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦2,000
- New Price: ₦6,000
- Adjustment made: ₦3000 for 7gb
- Percentage Increase: 200%
2. 1.5TB 90-Day Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦150,000
- New Price: ₦240,000
- Percentage Increase: 60%
3. 100GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦20,000
- New Price: ₦25,000 (for 90GB)
- Percentage Increase: 25%
4. 600GB 90-Day Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦75,000
- New Price: ₦120,000 (for 480GB)
- Percentage Increase: 60%
5. 1.8GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦1,000
- New Price: ₦1,500
- Percentage Increase: 50%
6. 20GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦5,500
- New Price: ₦7,500
- Percentage Increase: 36%
7. 25GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦6,500
- New Price: ₦9,750
- Percentage Increase: 50%
8. 10GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦3,500
- New Price: ₦5,250
- Percentage Increase: 50%
9. 5GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦1,500
- New Price: ₦2,250
- Percentage Increase: 50%
10. 1GB Daily Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦350
- New Price: ₦525
- Percentage Increase: 50%
11. 5GB Tuesday Awoof Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦600
- New price: ₦900
- Percentage Increase: 50%
These adjustments and increase has led to consumer dissatisfaction, particularly due to the steep increases in high-capacity data plans.
Airtel Nigeria
Airtel Nigeria also revised its tariffs, affecting data, call, and SMS rates:
1. 23GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦6,000
- New Price: ₦9,000
- Percentage Increase: 50%
2. 10GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦3,000
- New Price: ₦4,500
- Percentage Increase: 50%
These changes prompted concerns among subscribers, especially regarding the affordability of essential data services.
Glo Nigeria
Glo Nigeria adjusted its tariffs in compliance with the NCC’s directive:
1. 24GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦5,000
- New Price: ₦7,500
- Percentage Increase: 50%
2. 10.8GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦2,500
- New Price: ₦3,000
- Percentage Increase: 20%
Glo’s competitive pricing strategy, even after the increase, continued to attract budget-conscious consumers. This has caused many to migrate to this service provider despite the slow network connection.
9mobile
9mobile implemented notable adjustments to its data plans:
1. 22GB Monthly Plan:
- Previous Price: ₦5,000
- New Price: ₦7,500
- Percentage Increase: 50%
MTN Nigeria’s Apology and Acknowledgment of Customer Dissatisfaction
Following the substantial price hikes, MTN Nigeria faced significant backlash from its subscribers. In response, the company issued an apology, acknowledging the abruptness of the increases and admitting to errors in their implementation.
In a statement addressing their “₦2000 for 15GB digital bundle lovers,” MTN expressed: “You dey vex. We know. We know how upsetting it must have been to suddenly wake up to a 200% increase on your favourite digital bundle.”
The company further admitted, “We don cast. We get it and admit it. Let’s just say na mistake.”
This candid acknowledgment aimed to mend the strained relationship with customers, emphasizing their importance to the company. MTN concluded with a plea for forgiveness.
“In this love season, don’t stay angry with us. Please forgive and forget. You matter, die and we will never stop showing you how much.” Despite the apology, MTN did not indicate any plans to reverse or adjust the new pricing structure, as it still remains the same.
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