Abeokuta, Nigeria – September 19, 2024 – Nigeria has been identified as the second largest producer of electronic waste (e-waste) in Africa, trailing only South Africa. Adrian Clews, CEO of Hinckley E-Waste Recycling Ltd, revealed this statistic during a press briefing held at the Olusegun Osoba Press Centre, Governor’s Office in Abeokuta on Wednesday.
Clews reported that Nigeria generates approximately 200,000 metric tonnes of e-waste annually, which poses significant environmental and health risks. The hazardous nature of this waste underscores the urgent need for proper recycling and disposal methods.
To address this challenge, Hinckley E-Waste Recycling Ltd, supported by Manufacturing Africa—a UK government initiative—announced the establishment of a $5 million Lithium-ion and lead-acid battery recycling plant in Ogun State. This state-of-the-art facility aims to convert the toxic waste into a profitable business, creating at least 100 direct jobs in the region.
Clews highlighted the severity of the issue, stating, “Nigeria generates electronic wastes of over 200,000 tonnes every year, which are often left on dump sites across the country, posing significant threats to public health and the environment. The new recycling plant will focus on managing these hazardous materials, particularly lead-acid batteries, which are dangerous and often handled poorly by informal sectors.”
The announcement was made during a press briefing attended by key figures, including Ogun State’s Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya; Commissioner for Commerce, Trade, and Investment, Adebola Sofela; Sola Arobieke, Director General of Ogun State Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency; and the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery.
Oresanya praised the initiative, noting that Ogun State has long been a leader in waste management and recycling. “Our state is at the forefront of managing its environmental waste productively. We recycle more than 1,400 metric tonnes of plastic bottles daily, along with significant quantities of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and paper. We are committed to supporting this new venture and have already established several companies specializing in battery recycling.”
British High Commissioner Richard Montgomery emphasized the UK government’s commitment to investing in Nigeria’s socio-economic development. “The establishment of this recycling plant represents our dedication to improving living conditions and advancing economic opportunities in Nigeria. We are eager to explore further investment opportunities in energy, technology, education, and agricultural processing,” Montgomery said.
Commissioner Adebola Sofela assured that the state government would continue to foster a business-friendly environment to attract further investment. “We are focused on creating an enabling environment that enhances the ease of doing business and supports both local and international investments,” Sofela added.
The new recycling plant is expected to be operational within the next 12 months, marking a significant step forward in Nigeria’s efforts to manage e-waste effectively and sustainably.