The Lagos State Government has announced that the enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics, including nylon bags and sachet (pure) water, will officially begin on July 1, 2025.

The directive was made public via a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on Friday. The move is part of a broader state-wide effort to tackle the growing problem of plastic waste and promote environmental sustainability.

Back in February 2025, Commissioner Wahab held a stakeholder meeting with members of the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) to deliberate on how the impending ban would be implemented and the expected impact on manufacturers, distributors, and other businesses in the plastic value chain.

“We all understand that there is no way we are going to enforce that ban that it won’t affect the FBRA members one way or the other as business owners, as manufacturers and suppliers,” Wahab stated during the meeting.
“So part of this our gathering was about the enforcement, and I believe before the end of this month, there will be another engagement in order to work on the modalities that will lead us into full enforcement.”

Items affected by the ban include plastic carrier bags (commonly known as nylon), disposable cups, straws, plastic cutlery, food wrappers, and sachet water packaging — all of which contribute significantly to blocked drainages, flooding, and pollution across Lagos.

The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources is expected to release detailed guidelines ahead of the July enforcement date, including sanctions for defaulters and available eco-friendly alternatives for businesses and consumers.

Environmental activists have hailed the policy as long overdue, while some small-scale vendors have expressed concerns about cost implications and the need for proper sensitization.