One of the 50 named highest-emission river outfalls in the Meijer et al. (2021) global model is in Nigeria. Together these named rivers carry a modeled 3,999 metric tons of plastic to the ocean per year, 0.4% of the modeled global total across 31,819 outfall points.
Last reviewed: July 20, 2026Reviewed by: Plastic Bank Research Team
1
named river from Nigeria among the dataset's top 50 outfalls
Country attribution in this dataset exists only for the 50 named outfalls from the study's human-reviewed table (Table S5). The figures on this page cover those named rivers only. They are not a national total: the study models thousands of additional outfall points whose country attribution has not been verified on this site.
Named rivers in Nigeria, ranked by modeled emission
Each profile below explains local context, the modeled emission rank, drivers, and caveats for interpreting the data. Values are modeled annual plastic mass reaching the ocean, from Meijer et al. (2021).
Rank #16 of 31,819 modeled outfall points. Modeled emission 3,999 metric tons per year, Atlantic Ocean basin.
Nigeria River Plastic FAQ
Which river in Nigeria carries the most plastic to the ocean?
In the Meijer et al. (2021) model, the Lagos Harbour is the highest-ranked named outfall in Nigeria, at rank #16 of 31,819 modeled points with 3,999 metric tons per year. The value is a modeled estimate, not a direct measurement.
How many rivers in Nigeria are among the world's highest-emitting?
Nigeria has 1 river among the 50 named highest-emission outfalls in the dataset. The study models many more outfall points whose country attribution has not been verified on this site, so this is a floor, not a national total.
What share of global river plastic emissions comes from Nigeria?
The named rivers from Nigeria in this dataset together represent 0.4% of the modeled global total across all 31,819 outfall points. Because only the top 50 outfalls carry verified country attribution, the country's full share is higher than this named-rivers figure.
Sources
Meijer, L.J.J. et al. (2021). "More than 1000 rivers account for 80% of global riverine plastic emissions into the ocean." Science Advances, 7(18). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz5803
UNEP (2021). "From Pollution to Solution: A Global Assessment of Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution." View report
How to Cite This Page
Plastic Bank. "Nigeria: Named High-Emission Rivers (Meijer et al. 2021)." Rivers Carrying Plastic to the Ocean. https://rivers.plasticbank.com/rivers/country/nigeria. Reviewed July 20, 2026.