By Abigael Joshua
Abuja, Dec. 18, 2025 (NAN) – In a landmark move for environmental and public health security, the Federal Government of Nigeria has officially commissioned the nation’s first dedicated Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Treatment Centre. This state-of-the-art facility, located within the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) in Abuja, marks a critical advancement in Nigeria’s capacity to manage and eliminate some of the world’s most persistent and harmful chemical pollutants.
Malam Balarabe Lawal, the Minister of Environment, stated that the unveiling is a definitive demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to both its national development priorities and its global obligations. “This facility is a clear signal of our dedication to environmental sustainability and public health protection,” he said.
The centre was established by the Federal Ministry of Environment through a strategic collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under the “Environmentally Sound Management and Disposal of PCBs Project in Nigeria.”
Understanding the Threat: What Are PCBs and POPs?
To appreciate the facility’s significance, one must understand the danger it is designed to combat. PCBs are man-made organic chemicals classified as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Valued for their non-flammability and chemical stability, they were widely used from the 1930s to the 1970s in electrical equipment like transformers and capacitors, as well as in paints, plastics, and carbon paper.
However, their very stability became their curse. PCBs do not break down easily in the environment; they persist for decades, accumulating in soil, water, and the food chain. They are bioaccumulative, meaning concentrations increase as they move up the food chain, ultimately reaching dangerous levels in humans and wildlife. Due to overwhelming evidence of their toxicity, their production was banned globally in the 1970s under the Stockholm Convention, to which Nigeria is a committed party.
“PCBs are highly hazardous pollutants that pose serious risks to human health, biodiversity, and the entire environment,” Minister Lawal emphasized. “When improperly handled or disposed of, they can cause severe illnesses such as cancer, reproductive disorders, and immune system damage, as well as long-term damage to ecosystems.” Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, represented by Mrs. Adeola Olufowobi, added that PCBs have documented links to “endocrine disruption, neurodevelopmental disorders, and other adverse health outcomes,” particularly threatening vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women.
Beyond Disposal: The Facility’s Multifaceted Role
This new facility is far more than a waste disposal site. It represents a comprehensive national solution with multiple strategic benefits:
- Environmental Decontamination: The centre will use advanced technologies (such as high-temperature incineration or chemical treatment) to safely destroy PCBs in contaminated oil, old transformers, and other materials, preventing their release into the environment.
- Capacity Building & Leadership: As noted by Mrs. Elsie Attafuah, UNDP Resident Representative, this is not only Nigeria’s but West Africa’s first-ever dedicated PCBs treatment facility. It positions Nigeria as a regional leader in hazardous waste management and builds crucial domestic technical expertise.
- Economic and Health Dividend: The project transitions Nigeria from a costly practice of exporting hazardous waste to managing it domestically. It creates specialized “green jobs,” reduces future public health burdens and associated costs, and protects agricultural soil and water sources from contamination, thereby safeguarding food security and workforce productivity.
- Fulfilling International Commitments: The facility is a tangible step towards meeting Nigeria’s obligations under the Stockholm Convention, enhancing the country’s standing in global environmental governance.
A Foundation for National Expansion
Recognizing that one facility cannot address the nationwide stockpile of PCBs, Mrs. Bahijjahtu Abubakar, Director of the Department of Pollution Control, announced plans to replicate this model across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones. This scaled approach is essential for managing the vast quantities of PCB-containing equipment still in use or awaiting decommissioning across the country’s power and industrial sectors.
The project has also fostered unprecedented collaboration. Dr. Osu Inya Otu of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) highlighted ongoing partnerships with the private sector and all levels of government, while Dr. Abayomi Orishadipe of SHESTCO assured the complex’s commitment to maintaining and sustaining the facility’s operations.
In conclusion, the commissioning of the PCBs Treatment Facility is a transformative milestone. It moves Nigeria from recognition of a silent threat to active, scientifically-grounded defense. It protects the health of communities today, preserves ecosystems for tomorrow, and establishes a new standard for environmental stewardship in West Africa. As Mrs. Agnes Aneke, the GEF Operational Focal Point, stated, it is a decisive action to manage a pressing challenge and restore Nigeria’s ecosystem for future generations.
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
