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VOLUME 05 ISSUE 01 (APRIL 2025) - Journal of Environmental Law and Policy

Journal of Environmental Law and Policy is an international, interdisciplinary journal that facilitates an understanding of environmental governance, policy and law issues not only by drawing upon and contributing to the environmental social sciences, but also linking the ecosystem health, natural resources, and social sciences. The aim of the journal is to promote communication among academia, government, business and industry, civil society groups, citizens’ action groups, and non-governmental organizations who are instrumental in the solving of environmental problems and grassroots level issues.

VOLUME 04 ISSUE 03 (DECEMBER 2024)

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M – 00535Analytical Article

Towards an Efficient E-Waste Management Regime in Nigeria

Sylvanus Gbendazhi Barnabas

Faculty of Law, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria.

Email: barnabas.sylvanus@nileuniversity.edu.ng, mailsylvanus@gmail.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8299-0818

(2025) 05 (01) Journal of Environmental Law and Policy 117-147 https://doi.org/10.33002/jelp050105

Received: 06 February 2025

Accepted: 07 April 2025

Reviewed: 24 March 2025

Published: 14 April 2025

Revised: 30 March 2025

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ABSTRACT

Electronic waste (e-waste) management has emerged as a critical environmental and public health challenge in Nigeria, driven by increasing digitalisation, high importation of used electronics and inadequate disposal practices. Despite existing regulatory efforts, the country continues to struggle with informal recycling, unsafe dismantling methods and limited enforcement of e-waste policies. This article explores the deficiencies in Nigeria’s current e-waste management framework and proposes a regulatory blueprint for a more sustainable approach. Drawing on global best practices, the study advocates for a comprehensive regulatory regime that includes Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), stricter import controls, improved formal recycling infrastructure, and strengthened enforcement mechanisms. It also highlights the importance of public awareness campaigns, private-sector collaboration, and policy incentives to encourage responsible e-waste disposal. By transitioning to a structured and legally enforceable e-waste management system, Nigeria can mitigate environmental risks, safeguard public health, and unlock economic opportunities through resource recovery and job creation. Through doctrinal and critical analysis, this paper underscores the urgent need for a multi-stakeholder approach that aligns regulatory frameworks with sustainability principles, ensuring Nigeria’s readiness to tackle the growing e-waste crisis effectively.

Keywords: E-waste Management; Sustainable development; Nigeria; Recycling; Circular Economy; Environment

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HOW TO CITE THIS PAPER?
OSCOLA Style

Sylvanus Gbendazhi Barnabas, ‘Towards an Efficient E-Waste Management Regime in Nigeria’ (2025) 05 (01) Journal of Environmental Law & Policy 117-147, https://doi.org/10.33002/jelp050105

Harvard Style

Barnabas, S.G. (2025). Towards an Efficient E-Waste Management Regime in Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Law and Policy, 05(01): 117-147. Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/jelp050105

APA Style

Barnabas, S.G. (2025). Towards an Efficient E-Waste Management Regime in Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Law and Policy, 05(01), 117-147. https://doi.org/10.33002/jelp050105

ACS Style

Barnabas S.G. Towards an Efficient E-Waste Management Regime in Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Law and Policy, 2025, 05 (01), 117-147. https://doi.org/10.33002/jelp050105

Chicago/Turabian Style

Barnabas, Sylvanus Gbendazhi. 2025. “Towards an Efficient E-Waste Management Regime in Nigeria”. Journal of Environmental Law and Policy, 05 no. 01: 117-147. https://doi.org/10.33002/jelp050105

AAA Style

Barnabas, Sylvanus Gbendazhi. 2025. “Towards an Efficient E-Waste Management Regime in Nigeria”. Journal of Environmental Law and Policy, 05 (01): 117-147. https://doi.org/10.33002/jelp050105

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