The United Nations has sounded the alarm on Nigeria’s escalating waste generation crisis, highlighting the concerning rate at which waste remains uncollected, littering open spaces and clogging drainages.
Mercy Achieng Odhiambo, UN-Habitat representative, emphasized this concern in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, during a one-day training program for Environmental Officers and stakeholders.
The event, themed “Capacity Building for Effective Municipal Solid Waste Management,” was a collaborative effort between the State Ministry of Environment, African Clean Cities Platform, and Waste Wise Cities.
Odhiambo stressed that the mounting waste poses a significant threat to human and animal life, containing harmful chemicals that contribute to environmental degradation.
She noted that poor waste management has led to increased flood disasters and sanitation-related diseases in Nigeria, urging governments at all levels to prioritize proper waste management.
The training aimed to equip Environmental Officers with the skills to assess waste generation, identify key stakeholders in the waste recovery chain, and develop effective waste management strategies through data-driven decision-making.
Speaking at the event, the UN Technical Support officer, Mr. Akin Tobi stressed the need for quality data in managing waste in Ekiti State.
He said, “We need quality data on the number of waste generated in Ado-Ekiti; the government is passionate about waste, and in collaboration with UN-Habitat, Ekiti was registered into the African Clean Cities Platform.”
“In June, Ado-Ekiti was one of the three cities in Africa to receive assistance on the clean city initiative, to train environmental officers on how to measure the waste generated in the state. “It’s a do-it-yourself program,” he said.
Ekiti State Commissioner for Environment, Mrs. Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe, emphasized the importance of effective waste management for preserving the state’s environment, highlighting the training program’s goal of creating a habitable and sustainable ecosystem.
She reaffirmed the Governor Oyebanji-led administration’s dedication to tackling waste management challenges, citing the strategic placement of Dino bins throughout the state capital to facilitate easy waste disposal and collection.
She noted that the initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to maintaining a clean and healthy environment for the citizens.
