Received: 2024-02-15  |  Accepted: 2024-05-02  |  Published: 2024-06-30

Title

Nigeria's transition to a circular economy: challenges, opportunities and future perspectives


Abstract

The concept of a circular economy (CE) is a sustainable development strategy aimed at minimising waste and maximising resource efficiency. This paper explores the transition towards a circular economy in Nigeria, providing an overview of the challenges, opportunities, and future perspectives. Nigeria is rich in natural resources and has significant economic potential. However, the country faces severe environmental, economic, and social challenges that could be met with a circular economy. Although Nigeria has abundant natural resources and great economic potential, it faces many significant environmental, economic, and social challenges that must be addressed to move to a circular economy as a viable solution. The methods used in research are based on a mixed-methods research approach; the study synthesises findings from a comprehensive literature review, case studies of Nigerian businesses adopting CE practices, and insights from a SWOT analysis conducted in consultation with experts. The conclusions of the SWOT analysis, enriched by discussions with experts, form the basis for a set of targeted recommendations. These recommendations are aimed at policymakers, business leaders, and practitioners, outlining strategic actions to overcome the identified barriers and harness the opportunities inherent in a circular economy. This paper contributes to the scholarly discourse on sustainability and serves as a practical guide for other developing countries navigating the transition to a circular economy. It underscores the urgency and feasibility of adopting circular economy principles in Nigeria, highlighting the path towards a more sustainable, efficient, and economically robust future. In the study, prospects for Nigeria to benefit from include increased resource efficiency, job creation, economic diversification, and environmental sustainability if the circular economy approach were applied.


Keywords

Circular Economy (CE), sustainable development, Nigeria, SWOT analysis


JEL classifications

Q10 , Q32 , Q50 , O10 , O30


URI

http://jssidoi.org/ird/article/158


DOI


Pages

11-23


Funding

This research was supported and funded by Nigeria circular Hub project

This is an open access issue and all published articles are licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Authors

Rezk, Mohamed Ramadan A.
Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Cairo, Egypt http://www.asrt.sci.eg
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Piccinetti, Leonardo
Sustainabile Innovation Technology Services Ltd, Limerick, Ireland https://sinnovations.org
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Salem, Nahed
Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Cairo, Egypt http://www.asrt.sci.eg
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Omoruyi, Trevor Uyi
University of Chester, Chester, United Kingdom https://www.chester.ac.uk
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Santoro, Donatella
Rete Europea dell'Innovazione (REDINN), Rome, Italy https://www.redinn.it
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Journal title

Insights into Regional Development

Volume

6


Number

2


Issue date

June 2024


Issue DOI


ISSN

ISSN 2345-0282 (online)


Publisher

VšĮ Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, Vilnius, Lithuania

Cited

Google Scholar

Article views & downloads

HTML views: 907  |  PDF downloads: 1138

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