Hazardous waste, including lead batteries, has been found along Atican Beach in Lekki, Lagos, during a cleanup exercise led by the Nigerian Marine Environment Protection Association (NIMEPA). The operation removed approximately 100 kilograms of waste, comprising plastics, sachets, Styrofoam, bottles, and cigarette butts. NIMEPA's Executive Secretary, Comfort Ekpe, called the discovery of hazardous materials "alarming," stressing that Nigerians should not dispose of such waste in water bodies. "We actually accounted for a total of approximately 100 kg cumulative of different types of waste," she said. "We also found hazardous waste like lead batteries on our shorelines. For me, this is concerning that Nigerians will dispose of this kind of waste in our waters. This ought not to be."
Festus Omotoyinbo, Managing Director of Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited (ABTL), warned that marine pollution harms aquatic life and ultimately affects humans who consume seafood. Sunday Ngige, Head of Shipping Operations at Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN), noted the absence of trash cans along the beach and urged public enlightenment on proper waste disposal. The United Nations Environment Programme estimates 11 million tonnes of plastic enter oceans yearly, with Nigeria contributing significantly due to urbanisation and poor waste management. World Bank data shows Nigeria generates over 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, much of which ends up in waterways.
Finding lead batteries on a Lagos beach is not just pollution—it's evidence of systemic failure in waste oversight. Comfort Ekpe's alarm is valid, but repeated cleanups won't stop the flow without enforced regulations at collection and disposal points. Nigerians living near coastlines are left exposed, breathing the fumes and eating the fish from contaminated waters. Awareness campaigns mean little when infrastructure like trash bins is missing even at popular beaches.
