March 20, 2025: Nigeria’s government is calling for domestic and international players to support a ramping up of regulated lead battery recycling in the country.
Environment minister Malam Balarabe Lawal said at the International Conference on Upgrading the Lead-Acid Battery Recycling Sector in Abuja on March 18 that the government was committed to cracking down on informal recycling.
Lawal said it was already taking steps to stop unregulated recyclers from prioritizing profit over environmental and health safety.
Speaking on the conference sidelines to the Project for Responsible Battery and Metal Recycling, Lawal said increased investment in the African nation would be key.
“We will take all necessary steps to enforce best practices in the battery sector. This includes supporting recycling facilities that adhere to regulations and holding non-compliant ones accountable,” he said.
The two-day conference was organized by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency and federal environment ministry in collaboration with Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development — on behalf of Germany’s non-profit Oeko-Istitut.
The German government has said organizations including the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) will continue to support projects that encourage responsible lead battery recycling.
The Oeko-Institut said last year that it had launched a new program aimed at improving battery recycling in Nigeria in cooperation with international partners including the lead battery industry.
Oeko-Institut researcher on circular economy and recycling Frederick Adjei told Batteries International in March 2024 that members of the international ‘LeadBattery360°’ initiative had been contacted for their expertise.
Last September, Batteries International reported that UK-based Hinckley Recycling was involved in developing a lead and lithium ion battery recycling plant in Nigeria.
British high commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, confirmed on September 18 that the equivalent of $5 million was being made available to support initial investment in the project for Ogun state.
