Industrial symbiosis and eco-industrial transformation opportunities for environmental protection in Nigeria

The establishment of industrial parks has functioned as a catalyst for sustained economic growth and industrial advancement in Nigeria, mirroring trends observed in industrialized countries globally. However, no attention has been given to the conversion of existing industrial parks to eco-industrial parks (EIPs) to address the environmental challenges caused by increased industrialization in the country. This paper presents an assessment of opportunities for environmental protection through eco-industrial transformation in Nigeria, specifically focusing on the case of Sharada Industrial Park (SIP). The study applies the international eco-industrial park (EIP) framework to evaluate the current and intended performance of the park and identify opportunities for its conversion into an EIP, through an on-site tour of the park and interviews with the park managers. Similarly, questionnaires were used to assess the readiness of eco-industrial transformation in the country. The assessment of SIP's performance against the EIP framework reveals a concerning lack of compliance, with only 39 % of the performance indicators being met. This translates to several issues including resource inefficiency, increased pollution, higher operating costs and environmental non-compliance for the resident industries in SIP. Key opportunities for the transformation of SIP into an EIP were identified, including the diversity of industries in the park, existing infrastructure and renewable energy integration. These opportunities represent the potential for the establishment of sustainable industrial ecosystems in Nigeria. Tailored strategies for compliance, including policy reforms and stakeholder engagement, are recommended to drive eco-industrial transformation and foster a sustainable and circular manufacturing sector in Nigeria. It is also recommended that future research should investigate the drivers and barriers of industrial symbiosis (IS) and circular economy practices within industrial parks, alongside material flow analysis to determine synergy opportunities.