The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria has expressed concerns that plastic pollution is posing a serious threat to the tourism industry by damaging natural attractions and deterring visitors.
They made this observation at the association’s public lecture in commemoration of World Environment Day, themed ‘Ending Plastic Pollution Using the Waste Museum Model: Action Plans and Recommended Solutions’.
The keynote speaker, the Executive Director of The Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, Agharese Onaghise, said plastic pollution was a deterrent to tourists.
She said, “Plastic pollution deters tourists and harms the tourism industry, a significant contributor to Nigeria’s economy. Plastic waste can also damage fishing gear and contaminate catches, negatively impacting the fishing. In addition, the collecting, transporting, and disposing of plastic waste are expensive, burdening taxpayers and straining local budgets.
“The government plays a pivotal role in ending plastic pollution by establishing robust policies and regulatory frameworks that promote sustainable practices and circularity. This includes creating an enabling environment where industries and individuals are encouraged and incentivised to adopt eco-friendly alternatives. Through the development of national sustainability initiatives, the government can provide a clear roadmap for plastic reduction while attracting investment to support innovation and infrastructure that facilitate sustainable production, consumption, and waste management. Setting measurable targets and aligning incentives with desired outcomes are also critical to driving progress across sectors.
“Beyond policy formulation, governments must ensure effective implementation by enforcing regulations, monitoring compliance, and evaluating progress consistently. Public engagement is equally essential; raising awareness through campaigns and education helps build a culture of environmental responsibility. By driving socially meaningful interventions and fostering partnerships across the public and private sectors, the government can lead a coordinated, long-term response to plastic pollution that safeguards both public health and the environment.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the APWEN Lagos Chapter, Atinuke Owolabi, said plastic pollution has become an alarming environmental challenge, threatening ecosystems, marine life, food security, and public health.
She said, “As engineers and change agents, we recognise that technical expertise must be matched with advocacy, innovation, and public engagement. This lecture is more than a conversation; it is a commitment. The Waste Museum Model, developed through grassroots innovation, provides a unique blueprint for transforming plastic waste into powerful educational and community tools. It emphasises sustainability, creativity, and the circular economy, principles that every community can adopt to tackle the plastic crisis from the ground up.
“Through this initiative, we aim to empower citizens, especially young women and girls, with the knowledge and responsibility to drive environmental change. We must shift from disposable culture to sustainable practice.
“APWEN Lagos assures all stakeholders – the government, industry, academia, and the public – of our readiness for collaboration in advancing innovative, practical, and inclusive solutions to end plastic pollution. We remain committed to driving impactful conversations and engineering leadership that supports a greener, cleaner Lagos and Nigeria.”
