Waste management practices in Nigeria: Impacts and mitigation

Solid waste management is a major environmental challenge in most Nigerian cities. Waste generation rate in Nigeria is estimated at 0.65-0.95 kg/capita/day which gives an average of 42 million tonnes of wastes generated annually. This is more than half of 62 million tonnes of waste generated in sub-Sahara Africa annually and where and how to channel these wastes becomes a huge problem for the nation. This study examines the problems and prospects of solid waste management in some selected Nigerian cities using the mixed method of data collection. The findings revealed that waste management in Nigerian cities is largely monopolized by the agencies of state governments (sub-national governments) which have limited capacity to tackle the problems of solid waste management in their cities. In addition, 52 % of wastes generated are organic wastes which creates additional disposal problems. Although the problems of solid waste management in Nigeria range from poor collection and disposal methods; lack or poor waste management database; insufficient financial resources; non-compliance to laws and lack of awareness on dangers of poor sanitary habits, this paper argues that a robust waste data base, strict policies and regulation are important for effective solid waste management in Nigeria.

not published, 2023

Urban cities worldwide continue to struggle to clear mounting heaps of municipal solid wastes caused by rapid population growth and urbanization, accelerated economic development, and industrialization. In addition, indiscriminate disposal of solid waste, as well as shortage of waste landfilling facilities constitute a threat to the environment and human health. Inappropriate solid waste management practices in developing countries constitute one of the major factors leading to declining environmental health conditions. Poor state of waste management was associated with inadequate facilities, poor funding, and poor implementation of policies as well as unhealthy lifestyle. The loss of interest by the local governments administration in Nigeria to enforce environmental sanitation laws makes the attempt to manage all Municipal wastes difficult if not impossible. Public participation has been identified as the essential tool in solid waste management and regulation. Environmental health protection and aesthetics in any society can be achived through proper solid waste management best practice.

NIPES Journal of Science and Technology Research, 2020

This paper appraised solid waste management in Nigeria with a view to both identifying the existing solid waste management practices and current challenges. The paper also examined the benefits derivable from the adoption of proper solid waste management techniques. The identified methods of solid waste management are incineration, recycling of waste, landfill, source reduction, composting and avoidance and source reduction methods. The identified challenges include poor funding, poor collection techniques, grossly inadequate collection equipment, reckless disposal of solid waste on the environment, huge increase in population and urbanization and poor government attitude to waste management, and lack of trained/professional waste managers. In the light of the challenges, the paper advocates for the control of urbanization and population growth, increased funding for the management of solid waste and commitment from government among others.

The rapid and constant growth of urban population has led to a crucial socio-economic and environmental impact in solid waste management practices. This study focused on identifying waste management problems and evaluating the current performance of waste handlers in Abeokuta. A total of 430 structured questionnaires were administered. Putrescibles were the highest (26.3%) in the waste stream. Of the respondents, 58.14% had no means of estimation of waste; 56.05% do not sort their waste; 41.86% do not have their wastes collected at all; 27.14% recycle their wastes; 47.44% dispose waste through burning; 45.6% pay for waste management services and 42.78% throw their wastes indiscriminately into the nearby bushes. It was recommended that recycling of wastes should be formalized and publicized among residents; waste management planning should not be left entirely to the discretion of the local government. In addition, laws on waste management should be enforced and offenders duly punished. Key words: Solid Waste Management, Generation, Collection, Recycling, Disposal.

Public health is a fundamental requirement to human existence. Waste is directly linked to human development, both technologically and socially, some components of waste have economical value and can be recycled once correctly recovered. Effects of poor environmental hygiene on public health were studied in the precarious living quarters of Lagos state in Nigeria. This study examined the waste management; identified the challenges facing its operation; proffered possible solutions necessary for the growth of the waste market, and also the need to harness the inherent economic and environmental benefits. Data collected in various centers in the town on cases of morbidity, revealed that malaria is much contracted by populations with 58% cases against 14% for diarrhea and 28% for acute respiratory infections. Under-five children are much affected with 24% of the patients among which 43% were cases of the diarrheic diseases. Also, malaria and respiratory infections are more important during rainy seasons, in contrast to diarrheal diseases caused by poor hygiene of people. It has been ascertained that the level of education affects the public health. The concept transformation of waste from an exhausted utility to a valuable commodity as a mechanism for effective solid waste management is yet to be properly utilized in Lagos State. Keywords Environment, Lagos

The rapid and constant growth of urban population has led to a crucial socio-economic and environmental impact in solid waste management practices. This study focused on identifying waste management problems and evaluating the current performance of waste handlers in Abeokuta. A total of 430 structured questionnaires were administered. Putrescibles were the highest (26.3%) in the waste stream. Of the respondents, 58.14% had no means of estimation of waste; 56.05% do not sort their waste; 41.86% do not have their wastes collected at all; 27.14% recycle their wastes; 47.44% dispose waste through burning; 45.6% pay for waste management services and 42.78% throw their wastes indiscriminately into the nearby bushes. It was recommended that recycling of wastes should be formalized and publicized among residents; waste management planning should not be left entirely to the discretion of the local government. In addition, laws on waste management should be enforced and offenders duly punished.

Dutse Journal of pure and applied Sciences, 2021

The study examined waste management practices and its associated environmental implications among residents in Hadejia Metropolis. The study was descriptive and cross sectional in design. Systematic random sampling technique was employed to select the respondents of the study. Data was obtained through the administration of questionnaire, in-depth interview and observation checklist. The results showed that plastics, agricultural wastes, papers, metals and construction wastes among others were the major waste generated in the study area. The findings also revealed that the residents dispose waste indiscriminately to a large extent as open dumping in unapproved places and open burning were found to be the common waste management strategies employed by residents in the study area. The findings further indicated that environmental implications associated with poor waste management in the area include pollution of water, air and land, spreading of diseases such as malaria, diarrhea and Typhoid fever due to growing of disease vectors. The study recommends improving awareness campaigns, providing safe disposal grounds and enforcement of environmental laws to avert the consequences of poor waste managements on public health and environment.

1998

This paper is a presentation of the problems of solid waste management in Nigeria and certain important issues that must be addressed in order to achieve success. At the core of the problems of solid waste management are the absence of adequate policies, enabling legislation, and an environmentally stimulated and enlightened public. Government policies on the environment are piecemeal where they exist and are poorly implemented. Public enlightenment programs lacked the needed coverage, intensity, and continuity to correct the apathetic public attitude towards the environment. Up to now the activities of the state environmental agencies have been hampered by poor funding, inadequate facilities and human resources, inappropriate technology, and an inequitable taxation system. Successful solid waste management in Nigeria will require a holistic program that will integrate all the technical, economic, social, cultural, and psychological factors that are often ignored in solid waste programs.