By Adejoke Adeleye, Ogun
Governor Dapo Abiodun has unveiled a sweeping “Resource Revolution” aimed at positioning Ogun State as a continental leader in the circular economy, with a firm warning against unsafe and informal handling of electronic waste.
Speaking at the fourth edition of the Chemical Users and Handlers Workshop in Abeokuta, organised by the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency, the governor directed industries, financial institutions and informal waste collectors to comply with stricter global safety standards.
Addressing e-waste handlers, Abiodun stressed that their safety would no longer be compromised, drawing attention to the hidden dangers in discarded electronics.
He said exposure to toxic substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium poses serious health risks, including respiratory illnesses and neurological damage.
“No Ogun State citizen should risk their life handling e-waste. We value human life above material recovery,” he said.
The governor assured workers that the state would provide professional personal protective equipment, offer specialised training in safe dismantling techniques and establish formal processing systems that protect health without undermining livelihoods.
He also issued a clear message to corporate organisations, stating that responsible e-waste management is mandatory.
Abiodun urged manufacturers and financial institutions to meet their Extended Producer Responsibility obligations by working only with certified recyclers. He noted that secure data destruction and environmentally sound recycling are essential duties.
He further encouraged stakeholders to make use of new e-waste collection hubs in Agbara, Sagamu, Ota and other industrial clusters.
According to the governor, Ogun State’s policies are aligned with global sustainability targets, including improving public health, promoting green jobs and ensuring responsible consumption through take-back schemes.
He tasked the workshop with delivering key outcomes, including a comprehensive state e-waste roadmap, the establishment of a multi-sector task force, firm commitments from industry players and the development of a pool of certified handlers.
“We are transforming hazardous dumping into valuable recovery. Environmental leadership is economic leadership,” Abiodun said.
“With bold action, we can turn e-waste from a burden into an opportunity.”
The initiative has received backing from the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency. Its Director-General, Prof. Innocent Barikor, described Ogun’s approach as a model for other states.
He noted that e-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream globally and urged Nigeria to see discarded electronics as valuable resources rather than refuse.
“Through reuse, recycling and responsible resource management, we can reduce pollution and unlock economic value,” he said.
Barikor added that Ogun State is well placed to lead through the Extended Producer Responsibility framework, which holds manufacturers accountable for products at the end of their lifecycle.
He disclosed that the agency is also addressing emerging risks, including electronic waste generated by financial institutions, and is developing standard procedures to manage such materials.
While commending the expansion of off-grid energy, he warned that solar panels and batteries could create a future waste challenge if not properly regulated. He said measures were being strengthened to prevent the importation of substandard products.
“Policy must translate into measurable outcomes that define a sustainable path for Nigeria,” he said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, represented by Dr Kabirat Lawal, said nearly 500 participants drawn from government, industry, academia, civil society and the international community attended the workshop.
She noted that Nigeria generates more than half a million tonnes of e-waste annually, stressing that poor handling contaminates soil and water and poses significant health risks.
However, she said effective management could drive innovation, create jobs and support economic growth.
She also urged financial institutions to adopt secure and certified recycling practices, noting that proper disposal of electronic devices is critical not only for environmental protection but also for data security and corporate governance.
Participants at the workshop are expected to engage in policy discussions, technical exchanges and collaboration aimed at developing a draft Ogun State e-waste and circular economy roadmap, alongside a framework for its implementation.
Ogun declares e-waste crackdown, launches resource revolution