The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has commended the Federal Government for commissioning Nigeria’s first dedicated Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) treatment facility, describing it as a major milestone in the country’s chemicals and hazardous waste management efforts.
The facility, located in Abuja, was established under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Environment, in partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and was inaugurated on December 18, 2025.
In a statement issued by its Media and Communications Officer, Robert Egbe, CAPPA noted that the commissioning of the facility marks a critical step toward addressing the long-standing environmental and public health challenges associated with the improper handling and disposal of PCBs in Nigeria.
Polychlorinated biphenyls are classified as persistent organic pollutants with high toxicity, long environmental persistence, and the ability to bioaccumulate in living organisms. CAPPA explained that years of poor storage, handling, and disposal of PCBs have resulted in widespread contamination of soil, surface and groundwater, as well as the food chain, posing serious risks to public health and ecosystems.
The organisation further noted that PCBs are scientifically linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, immunotoxicity, neurodevelopmental impairment, and reproductive disorders, in addition to causing severe damage to terrestrial and aquatic environments.
According to CAPPA, Nigeria, as a signatory to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, is legally obligated to eliminate the use of PCBs, identify and label PCB-containing equipment, and ensure their environmentally sound management and final disposal.
“The commissioning of this treatment facility constitutes a practical demonstration of Nigeria’s compliance with its international treaty obligations and its domestic regulatory framework under the PCBs Control and Disposal Regulations, 2020,” the statement said.
Speaking on the development, CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said the facility validates the intent of the National Environmental (PCBs Control and Disposal) Regulations, 2020, and signals the Federal Government’s readiness to implement a system for the safe management of hazardous chemical wastes.
He noted that the facility would strengthen national capacity for the treatment, decontamination, and disposal of PCB-containing equipment and wastes, while also reducing occupational exposure, preventing environmental releases, and mitigating long-term public health risks.
However, Oluwafemi urged the Federal Government to ensure full compliance with all provisions of the regulations, including strict controls on the manufacture, importation, distribution, use, storage, transportation, discharge, and disposal of PCBs and related products.
He also called for the development of robust inventory systems, effective monitoring and reporting frameworks, strong enforcement mechanisms, and appropriate sanctions to guarantee effective implementation.
The CAPPA boss further appealed for sustained investment, technical upgrades, and long-term operational support for the facility, stressing that adequate funding and skilled personnel are essential to meeting Nigeria’s PCB phase-out targets and realising the environmental and socio-economic benefits of the initiative.
CAPPA reaffirmed its commitment to promoting environmental governance, chemical safety, and public participation, while pledging continued engagement with stakeholders to ensure Nigeria’s complete elimination of PCBs in an environmentally sound and socially responsible manner.