Solid Waste Management in Nigeria

Introduction
Nigeria is located at the Western part of Africa. It has 36 States and a Federal Capital Territory. The
World Bank report of 2011 stated the population of Nigeria as 162, 470, 737 with a GDP of US$
235.9billion. With increase in population, urbanization and industrialization including globalization,
the challenge of solid waste management (SWM) in the Country has increased and even now
complex.  
Contributory factors to the challenge include inadequate regulatory framework that has manifested
in lack of interest of private sector investment in service delivery (infrastructure); uncoordinated
institutional functions; low political will, low capacity to discharges duties, poor data information for
planning, wrong attitude of waste generator amongst others.  Yet on the increase is the demand for
good waste management service for public health and environmental protection.  
However the above generality in SWM in Nigeria, the commitment of the Lagos State Government
towards sustainable waste management has made Lagos State a model for other States in the
Country. This paper will be describing the waste management situation in Nigeria with notable
examples from Lagos State.  
Relevant Legislation
Environmental issue is administered by the Ministry of Environment at the Federal and States levels
with Environmental Health department at Local Government level.  Established legislations relating
to waste management include;
 THE HARMFUL WASTE (SPECIAL CRIMINAL PROVISIONS, ETC) ACT , 1988
 THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
ACT 2007 (NESREA ACT, repealed the Federal Environmental Protection Act of 1988)
 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ACT OF 1992  
Relevant regulations are
 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL (SANITATION AND WASTES CONTROL) REGULATIONS,
2009)
 THE National Environmental Protection (POLLUTION ABATEMENT IN INDUSTRIES AND
FACILITIES GENERATING WASTE) REGULATIONS             
Iriruaga Edith Tobore                                                                                                                      Solid Waste Management in Nigeria
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Legislations at the State level amongst other include;  
 Lagos State Waste Management Authority
 Oyo State Solid Waste Management
 Kano State Refuse Management and Sanitation Board
 Kaduna State Environmental Protection Authority Law
 Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority

Intervention of the Waste Management Society of Nigeria  
The Waste Management Society of Nigeria (WAMASON) with interest to develop waste
management industry and practice in Nigeria has intervened in the following ways amongst others;  
 Develop professional training courses to meet the manpower gap need of the waste industry
 Occasionally conduct campaigns to enlighten the public on proper waste handling.  
 Develop a proposed Bill on National Waste Management  and Control (the project is yet to
be actualized)
Conclusions
There is a need to look beyond the challenges and collaborate on finding sustainable solutions that
are viable in our local environment.