The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) partnered with ACCAPPOCCO Global Services Nigeria Limited to host a training session on Circular Economy in Industries for Environmental Sustainability, attended by industry representatives, on Thursday.
Speaking at the training, NESREA Director-General, Prof. Innocent Barikor, emphasized the need for economic growth to align with environmental integrity.
“The circular economy presents a transformative pathway forward. It challenges us to reimagine waste as a resource, to design for durability and regeneration, and to create production systems where environmental stewardship becomes a driver of competitive advantage. This is not merely an environmental imperative; it is a strategic economic opportunity that can position Nigerian industries at the forefront of Africa’s sustainable industrial revolution.”
Prof. Barikor noted that the focus of the Agency as an environmental regulator was to enhance seamless transition to circularity, adding that “our Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme and compliance partnerships are designed to support industries in adopting cleaner technologies and resource-efficient practices.”
He also had a charge for the industry operators, “When you embrace circular principles, you unlock multiple benefits—reduced operational costs, new revenue streams from waste valorization, enhanced brand reputation, and access to emerging green markets. More importantly, you create sustainable employment and demonstrate that profitability and environmental responsibility are mutually reinforcing.”
The training was attended by Human Resource Managers; Health, Safety and Environment Managers as well as Factory Managers from different facilities across the country.
