Plastic waste exports in Nigeria
Nigeria: Plastic waste exports was 8,319 tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Nigeria, 1997–2024
Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2024, plastic waste exports in Nigeria stood at 8,319 tonnes.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 49.7% on the previous year and up 871.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Nigeria peaked at 74,640 tonnes in 2020 and was at its lowest, 4.38 tonnes, in 1997.
Nigeria ranks 48th of 167 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 4.38 tonnes | 4.38 tonnes | 4.38 tonnes | 1 |
| 2000s | 355.6 tonnes | 355.6 tonnes | 355.6 tonnes | 1 |
| 2010s | 1,274 tonnes | 15.5 tonnes | 4,434 tonnes | 9 |
| 2020s | 29,629 tonnes | 5,559 tonnes | 74,640 tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More environment data for Nigeria
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF 350.56 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF per capita 1.51 t CO2e/capita (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture 56.75 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) 8.67 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Fugitive Emissions (Energy) 75.63 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Industrial Combustion (Energy) 0.1661 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF 175.13 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Power Industry (Energy) 0.0267 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Transport (Energy) 0.5526 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Waste 33.33 Mt CO2e (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in Nigeria?
- Plastic waste exports in Nigeria was 8,319 tonnes in 2024, according to United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest plastic waste exports recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 74,640 tonnes in 2020.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.38 tonnes in 1997.
- How does Nigeria rank for plastic waste exports?
- Nigeria ranks 48th out of 167 countries with data for 2024.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 871.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Plastic waste exports. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 16 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.