NIGERIA is grappling with an environmental emergency, as heaps of plastic waste and garbage clutter streets, just days after the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Overflowing dumpsters, blocked drains, and littered gutters have become common sights, worsening the nation’s waste management crisis. Improper disposal of waste, including into waterways, is a major contributing factor to the growing problem, placing a heavy burden on street cleaners and government agencies.
Recent data from Statista highlights that informal waste management remains a major issue, with approximately 59 percent of waste being handled outside the formal system in 2018. The current waste accumulation after the holiday season demands immediate attention, as it threatens public health and the environment. If left unchecked, this could escalate into a full-blown environmental crisis.
The challenge is twofold: First, the informal disposal of household and industrial waste is widespread, and second, government agencies are struggling to cope with the holiday waste surge. Statista’s report further indicates that only around 4 percent of waste was collected by government agencies, underscoring the inefficiency of waste management in Nigeria.
To prevent further damage, local governments must take decisive action, stepping up their efforts to collect and manage waste, especially during peak seasons like the holidays. Engaging additional staff and contracting private waste management firms can help alleviate the pressure on government-run services. Failure to act could lead to a public health catastrophe, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Public awareness campaigns are crucial to changing long-standing attitudes towards waste disposal. Citizens and government bodies alike must demonstrate greater commitment to building cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable communities. As Nigeria continues to face growing environmental challenges, it’s clear that informal waste disposal cannot be the norm.
The country must urgently embrace a more organized waste disposal system, with active participation from both citizens and authorities. Environmental problems cannot be tackled by the government alone; citizens must also do their part to create a cleaner, healthier society. Nigeria must act now to prevent the looming environmental disaster that could have long-term consequences if left unresolved.
