Abuja: The Federal Government has announced a collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to reform waste management practices in Nigeria. Prof. Innocent Barikor, the Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), disclosed this during a workshop on waste management reforms held in Abuja. The initiative aims to improve waste management and protect the health and rights of informal waste workers in Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Barikor emphasized the importance of adopting circular economy principles and resource efficiency to align environmental protection with economic prosperity and social well-being. He highlighted the vital role of the waste management sector in safeguarding public health and ensuring environmental sustainability. Despite ongoing efforts to develop policies, Nigeria continues to face challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, insufficient funding, and lack of public awareness in managing waste.
Barikor explained that NESREA, in partnership with UNEP under the Montevideo Programme V, is implementing a pilot project in Abuja to strengthen the waste management framework. The project aims to promote environmentally sound waste management practices, ensuring better inclusion and protection of informal workers. Recommendations for legislative and institutional reforms within the sector are expected to arise from this initiative.
The workshop called on stakeholders to review the current waste management state in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), identify areas for improvement, and explore innovative approaches. Barikor expressed confidence that collective stakeholder input would lead to sustainable waste management practices in Nigeria.
Mr. Ayodele Olawande, the Minister of Youth Development, commended the initiative and pledged the ministry’s commitment to the project, emphasizing its potential to create jobs for Nigerian youth. Represented by Leah Akintiresoye, his Senior Special Assistant for Youth Development, Olawande reiterated the ministry’s dedication to youth protection.
Ms. Aphrodite Smagadi of UNEP praised the partnership with NESREA, stressing the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure the framework reflects on-ground realities and shapes the waste management project effectively.