The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a national initiative to improve the environmentally sound management of small-sized waste batteries, targeting a largely overlooked segment of the country’s battery waste stream.
Unveiled in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja, the programme focuses on the collection and recycling of household batteries such as AA and AAA cells, button batteries and small lithium-ion units commonly used in consumer electronics.
The initiative introduces dedicated collection receptacles in public locations including markets, schools, offices and transport hubs, with the aim of capturing waste batteries at source and preventing their disposal in general waste streams.
Nigeria’s Environment Minister: narrowing the small batteries collection gap
Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said the scheme is designed to address a gap in existing recycling systems, where small batteries are often ignored due to their low economic value. “We recognised a critical gap… recyclers were not collecting these batteries because they do not offer any economic value,” he said, adding that the programme establishes a centralised collection system to bring them into the recycling chain.
While larger lead-acid batteries typically have established recycling routes, small-format batteries are more likely to be discarded improperly. These batteries contain hazardous materials including lead, mercury, cadmium and lithium, which can leach into soil and groundwater if disposed of in landfills.
Officials highlighted the associated health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups. Improper disposal can lead to contamination of food and water systems, contributing to neurological damage, kidney disease and other serious conditions.
The programme is being implemented in partnership with the Alliance for Responsible Battery Recycling (ARBR), which operates under Nigeria’s extended producer responsibility framework. The scheme includes downstream logistics such as aggregation, transport and processing at licensed recycling facilities, with exports where necessary.
The initiative builds on Nigeria’s National Policy on Waste Battery Management (2022) and the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulations (2024), which mandate lifecycle management of batteries in line with international environmental standards.
Stakeholders say the move reflects growing urgency around battery waste as the use of portable electronics and energy storage technologies increases. The scheme also aligns with international commitments, including the Basel Convention on hazardous waste, by strengthening collection systems and formalising recycling pathways.
The government said the programme is intended to improve environmental protection while creating economic value from currently underutilised waste streams.
