The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), in collaboration with ACCAPPOCCO Global Services Nigeria Limited, on Thursday organized a training session on the Circular Economy in Industries for Environmental Sustainability, drawing participants from across the industrial sector.

Speaking at the event, NESREA Director-General, Prof. Innocent Barikor, underscored the need to harmonize economic growth with environmental integrity.

“The circular economy presents a transformative pathway forward,” he said. “It challenges Nigeria to reimagine waste as a resource, to design for durability and regeneration, and to build production systems where environmental stewardship becomes a competitive advantage.”

Barikor noted that NESREA’s focus as an environmental regulator is to ensure a seamless transition to circularity. “Our Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme and compliance partnerships are designed to support industries in adopting cleaner technologies and resource-efficient practices,” he explained.

He urged operators to see circular principles as a means of unlocking new opportunities — reduced operational costs, new revenue from waste valorization, and access to emerging green markets — while also creating sustainable employment.

The training was attended by Human Resource Managers, Health, Safety and Environment Managers, and Factory Managers from industries nationwide.