Benue lawmaker Rep. Terseer Ugbor appointed chairman of the newly constituted ad-hoc committee on single-use plastic ban in Nigeria
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep.Tajudeen Abbas, has appointed Rep. Terseer Ugbor (APC Benue), as chairman of the newly constituted ad-hoc committee on single-use Plastic ban in Nigeria.
The committee is tasked with assessing the readiness, coordination, and responsibilities of federal agencies in enforcing the planned ban on single-use plastics. It will also work to ensure effective implementation through public awareness campaigns, robust enforcement mechanisms, and stakeholder engagement for environmental sustainability.
In addition, the committee will engage private sector players to evaluate their preparedness to phase out single-use plastics from their operations and supply chains.
This legislative initiative marks a critical step in Nigeria’s battle against plastic pollution. As the world’s ninth-largest contributor to plastic waste, Nigeria produces an estimated 2.5 million tonnes of plastic annually.
Shockingly, over 70 percent of this waste ends up in landfills, rivers, and oceans, posing severe environmental and public health risks.
Ugbor, who currently serves as deputy chairman of the House Committee on Environment, is expected to lead the charge in driving this crucial policy shift.
A passionate advocate for stronger environmental legislation, Rep. Ugbor has sponsored several key bills, including the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, which has been passed by the House, as well as the Environmental Impact Assessment (Amendment) Bill and the End-of-Life Vehicle Regulations.
Beyond his environmental work, Rep. Ugbor previously chaired the ad-hoc committee on Student Loans and Access to Higher Education. Under his leadership, the committee hosted the National Assembly’s first legislative summit on student loans and successfully pushed amendments that shaped the eventual passage of the student loans act.
With a professional background in sustainable development, environmental management, resource recovery, and recycling, Rep. Ugbor brings both legislative experience and technical expertise to his new role.
