Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL), a subsidiary of Oando Plc, one of Africa's leading indigenous energy solutions providers, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Environment has convened a one-day workshop in Abuja on advancing biodegradable technology solutions for single-use plastics in Nigeria.

Major participants at the event included key government stakeholders, regulators, and industry players, a statement by the company said. The workshop brought together representatives from the Federal Ministry of Environment, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), State Commissioners for Environment, academia, other relevant agencies, and manufacturing stakeholders to address the growing challenge of plastic waste leakage and explore scalable, science-driven interventions.

Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Lawal, spoke passionately about the far-reaching effects of plastic pollution on the environment and agricultural activities.

He highlighted how plastic waste clogs waterways, degrades soil quality, and poses serious risks to livestock, which often ingest plastic materials, leading to illness or death. He further emphasised that plastic pollution contributes to ecosystem imbalance, threatens biodiversity, and introduces microplastics into the food chain, ultimately impacting human health.

Providing a technical deep dive, the Chief Strategy Officer of Polymateria – Andrew Webster – demonstrated the company's proprietary Biotransformation technology, noting its suitability for Nigeria's climatic conditions.

"Nigeria is a perfect climatic environment for the technology as it combines high heat, high humidity, moisture, and high exposure to sunlight, which are the factors that cause the plastic to biodegrade over a short period of time, breaking down into a recognisable food source for bacteria," he explained.

The technology, delivered through a masterbatch additive incorporated at approximately 2 per cent during manufacturing, remains stable throughout its intended shelf life and only activates when exposed to environmental triggers such as UV light, heat, and air. Once triggered, the material transforms into a bio-available wax that is fully consumed by microorganisms, leaving behind only carbon dioxide, water, and biomass. The solution also maintains compatibility with existing recycling systems, ensuring that collected plastics can still be processed without disruption.

Participants engaged in technical sessions, policy discussions, and breakout groups focused on standards, enforcement, and implementation pathways, reinforcing the need for coordinated action across the value chain.

In her closing remarks, the Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Dr. Bahijjahtu Abubakar, called on all stakeholders to work collaboratively towards adopting the framework and ensuring its joint implementation across the country, with effective cascading to subnational levels. She also urged academia to take a leading role in advancing research that will support the swift adoption and localisation of biodegradable technologies.

The Vice President of Opportunity Maturation and New Ventures at Oando Clean Energy Limited, Hadiza Adukonu, in her vote of thanks, expressed appreciation to the Minister, Directors within the Federal Ministry of Environment, and all stakeholders for their active participation and support of the innovative technology. She encouraged continued dialogue, particularly in the areas of standards development, policy review, and enforcement, to ensure sustained progress.

The workshop concluded with a call for sustained collaboration between government, industry, and technology providers to drive adoption of innovative solutions that address plastic pollution while supporting economic growth. Oando Clean Energy Limited reaffirmed its commitment to leading cross-sector partnerships that deliver scalable environmental solutions and support Nigeria's transition to a more sustainable future.