Ignorance is like an environmental pollution, it kills slowly, but surely. This was, initially, Nigeria, with Nigerians, attitude towards Waste Management and Recycling; an outlook gradually shifting. Nigeria, according to her econometrics, currently sits, on the giant throne, as the most populous country in Africa with a population that exceeds over 200 million people, who generates 43.2 million tonnes of waste yearly causing fatal environmental blowback and detrimental effects. Waste is wealth - economical and developmental resources in disguise. If this potential is properly, effectly, and strategically tapped, it will create more employment, power generation, a waste based economy, and economic diversification.
Travel exposure and intentional Investment in orientation and education is key to changing societal outlook on waste management and recycling. For instance, in 2001, the, then, executive governor of Lagos state, armed with foreign education, travel experience, and determination to make Lagos state the cleanest in the country, commissioned over 50 heavy-duty equipment worth huge millions, to improve waste disposal in the state. Onyekakeyah (2018) notes that, "If there is any state in Nigeria that has raised public awareness about waste disposal and environmental sanitation, it is Lagos State. Since 2008 when the Fashola administration assumed power in the state, waste disposal was raised as a major challenge of government." Fashola aggressively pushed a trend that promoted garbage trucks controlled and operated by a private waste management - (PSP). This PSPs were deployed practically to all the nooks and crannies of Lagos, to evacuate refuse. This greatly changed the sanitation condition in the state. This action was followed with the deployment of street sweepers all over the city. The creation of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), saddled with the responsibility of waste management - collection and disposal of municipal and industrial waste, as well as the provision of commercial waste services to the state and local governments, is another pointer to what exposure can do. On the 15th September 2020, awared of the dying need for knowledge and orientation, LAWMA launched the LAWMA Academy. The Academy offers orientation programs, and several programmes certifications in waste management and services aimed at promoting the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle practices of waste management. A conscious push for these will lead to significant changes in the general outlook, living conditions, and improve sustainable development plans.
Lastly, prioritizing waste recycling is key to economic improvement and it will reduce total dependence on petroleum products. Waste pollution is a big challenge, but this challenge is actually an opportunity, a blessing, in disguise. It will only take knowledge to remove the veil, and give access to sight.Waste is an economical and developmental resources in disguise. If this resource is properly, effectly, and strategically tapped, it will create more employment, power generation, a waste based economy, and economic diversification. This is very achievable, as foreign governments and countries are already utilizing this idea judiciously.
In conclusion, according to Suhaib Arogundade, Team Lead at Waste-Watch Africa, "... Nigeria, by 2025, with a population of 233.5 million or more, will be generating an estimated 72.46 million tonnes of waste annually at a projected rate of 0.85 kg of waste/capita/day." What this means is that, Nigeria annual waste generation will almost equal its crude oil production which currently stands at approximately 89.63 million tonnes per year. This calls for urgent proactivity, and intentional leverage on the huge benefit of Waste - Recycling.
Olorode, Segun Stephen.
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