Abuja, July 27, 2025
Nigeria’s booming scrap and waste recycling industry is setting its sights on generating an additional five million jobs before the end of 2025, as the sector continues to expand across urban and rural communities.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), in collaboration with stakeholders in the circular economy, disclosed that the sector is currently one of the fastest-growing in the country, with increasing investment in waste recovery, metal recycling, plastic processing, and e-waste management.
According to industry data, Nigeria presently generates over 32 million tonnes of solid waste annually, of which only 20–30% is effectively collected and recycled. With the global shift towards sustainability, the scrap and waste sector in Nigeria is now drawing attention as a viable employment generator and contributor to GDP.
Dr. Idris Musa, Director-General of NESREA, stated that with structured interventions, skills training, and private sector engagement, the industry has the capacity to employ millions of Nigerians, especially youths and women, while also reducing environmental hazards.
As part of its roadmap, the Federal Government, through NESREA and the Ministry of Environment, is working to formalize the informal waste economy, attract green investments, and boost compliance with international recycling standards. Several state governments have also initiated partnerships to support recycling clusters and create eco-industrial parks.
With an estimated $3 billion in untapped value across Nigeria’s waste value chain, stakeholders believe the sector can not only tackle unemployment but also significantly advance Nigeria’s climate action goals.