Strengthening Environmental Sanitation Policy Implementation in Urban Markets: A Case Study of Bodija Market, Bodija, Ibadan

Cheetahs Policy institute

Cheetahs Policy institute

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Summary 

This policy brief assesses the implementation of Nigeria’s National Environmental Sanitation  Policy (NESP) at Bodija Market, Ibadan. Despite high awareness and stakeholder support,  sanitation outcomes remain limited due to inadequate infrastructure, poor waste management,  and weak enforcement. Traders rely on a single waste collection vehicle, which is insufficient to serve  the entire market, resulting in waste accumulation between designated cleanup days. Key  recommendations include expanding sanitation infrastructure, increasing budgetary allocations,  and promoting community-led initiatives. The study highlights the need to shift from periodic  clean-up exercises to systemic, daily sanitation practices that are embedded in public health,  urban planning, and community engagement strategies for long-term sustainability.  

Background and Context 

Over the years, poor environmental sanitation has contributed significantly to the high prevalence  of communicable diseases worldwide. In Nigeria, where population growth has far outpaced  infrastructure development, poor sanitation contributes to a high disease burden. Malaria, typhoid,  cholera, and diarrhea remain prevalent in densely populated urban areas, particularly in markets  where waste is generated daily at high volumes. 

Consequently, despite increased efforts by various successive governments to improve public  health and quality of life, basic health indicators have remained poor, and these sanitation-related  diseases continue to be associated with ill health and poverty among the populace. 

Recognizing the threat posed by poor sanitation, the Federal Government of Nigeria adopted the  National Environmental Sanitation Policy (NESP) in 2005. The policy seeks to coordinate national  efforts, streamline institutional responsibilities, and promote a clean, healthy environment for all  citizens. One of the key components of the policy is the routine observance of environmental  sanitation exercises aimed at cleaning public spaces, improving waste management practices, and  reducing the disease burden. Before the enactment of the NESP (2005), the Nigerian government had put in place several legislative controls to address the environmental issues, including the  Harmful (Toxic) Waste Criminal Provision Decree 42 of 1988 and others. 

Despite these efforts, many urban centers across Nigeria continue to grapple with mounting  sanitation challenges. This policy brief draws on findings from a field-based assessment of the  NESP’s implementation in Bodija Market, Ibadan, one of the busiest foodstuff markets in the  country, to provide insights into policy effectiveness, stakeholder perceptions, and implementation  challenges, and to recommend a path forward. 

Established in 1987, Bodija Market is a sprawling commercial hub that serves thousands of traders  and buyers daily. It is a crucial node in the food distribution network of southwestern Nigeria. As  with most open-air markets, the market generates a vast quantity of waste, from perishable food  items to plastics and packaging materials. Given the scale of activity, ensuring proper sanitation  in such a space is not just desirable—it is essential. 

In Oyo State and the Bodija market, the NESP is implemented through weekly (Thursdays) and  monthly (last Saturdays) sanitation exercises. On these designated days, trading activities are  suspended for several hours while traders and residents are expected to clean their immediate  surroundings. However, observations and reports from stakeholders suggest that these exercises  alone are insufficient to address the market’s sanitation needs. 

Findings: Awareness is High, but Impact is Uneven 

The study conducted at Bodija Market combined both qualitative and quantitative methods. A total  of 250 traders participated in a survey, while in-depth interviews were held with other  stakeholders, which included environmental officers, market leaders, and waste contractors. The  key findings are as follows: 

1. High Awareness and Goodwill 

Evidence from the study shows a broad-based awareness of the sanitation policy: 94.8% of traders are aware of the weekly and monthly sanitation activities, while 79% of them believe that these  exercises help improve the market’s cleanliness. Stakeholders, including market association  leaders and government officials, support the continuation of the policy, with 98% affirming its  relevance. This data suggests that the level of awareness and approval of the policy provides a  strong foundation for developing more effective sanitation interventions.

2. Lack of Infrastructure and Institutional Support 

The study also shows that despite strong awareness and goodwill, sanitation outcomes remain  suboptimal: The market lacks an on-site waste transfer station or proper waste storage  infrastructure. 87.2% of traders rely on a single waste collection vehicle deployed to serve the  entire market, which is grossly inadequate for the volume of daily waste generated. As a result,  waste often accumulates between sanitation days, creating unsanitary conditions that negate the  gains of the weekly and monthly clean-up efforts. 

3. Implementation Gaps and Coordination Failures 

Several systemic issues hinder effective implementation, which include low budgetary allocations at the state and local levels restricting the hiring of personnel and procurement of equipment, poor  contractor oversight results in lapses in service delivery, and inadequate road access, water supply,  and street lighting in the market further complicate waste collection and sanitation enforcement. 

Policy in Principle vs. Practice on the Ground 

The case of Bodija Market reflects a broader trend in public policy implementation in Nigeria,  where good policies often fail to achieve their objectives due to weak execution and poor  coordination. The NESP sets out a clear and comprehensive framework, yet in practice, it is  reduced to periodic clean-up days that barely scratch the surface of the systemic challenges. 

The market environment itself presents unique challenges. Open-air markets operate daily with  intense commercial activity, high footfall, and substantial waste generation. Without embedded  systems, such as on-site sorting facilities, well-distributed waste bins, and an efficient evacuation  schedule, sanitation policies risk becoming symbolic exercises rather than effective public health  interventions. 

Recommendations: A Roadmap for Revitalizing Market Sanitation 

To transform the NESP from an aspirational document into a tool for tangible change in Nigeria’s  markets, a multi-pronged approach is necessary: 

1. Invest in Sanitation Infrastructure 

The government should construct localized waste sorting and holding facilities within Bodija and  other large markets in the state. In addition, the government should provide multiple waste  collection vehicles and sufficient bins throughout the market. Kigali, Rwanda has successfully  improved waste management by establishing localized waste collection points and investing in infrastructure such as waste bins and collection trucks. The city implemented a decentralized  system where waste is sorted at source and managed at the sector level, leading to significant  improvements in sanitation and public health. 

2. Improve Institutional Coordination and Oversight 

The Ministry of Environment should clearly define the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders. The ministry should also institutionalize mechanisms to rate contractor performance and integrate  citizen feedback systems to ensure contractor accountability. Ghana’s Sanitation Challenge for  Ghana (SC4Gh) incentivized Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to  improve sanitation by defining institutional roles and introducing performance-based ratings.  Citizens also participated in assessing service delivery, increasing transparency and accountability. 

3. Strengthen Budgetary Commitment and Explore Public-Private Partnerships 

The Ministry of Environment should increase budgetary allocations to sanitation in Oyo State while promoting public-private partnerships (PPP) to bring innovation and capital into the  sector.For instance in Lagos State, the State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in Nigeria  partnered with private operators for waste collection and recycling. This PPP model improved  efficiency, reduced the government’s financial burden, and created jobs. 

4. Promote Community-Led Sanitation Initiatives 

The Ministry of Environment should formally integrate market associations into local sanitation governance  frameworks. In addition, regular awareness campaigns and training sessions on waste sorting,  hygiene, and public health should be conducted to sensitize the public. In India, the government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) mobilized community groups and local bodies to  lead sanitation drives. In states like Kerala, local market associations and self-help groups were  actively involved in sorting waste and educating the public, significantly improving sanitation  standards. 

5. Institutionalize Monitoring and Learning 

The Ministry of Environment should establish institutional mechanisms to measure indicators for  policy performance and publish regular sanitation audits. Also, data from markets like Bodija should be used to inform state-wide and national strategy adjustments. In South Africa, the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) system mandates regular audits and performance  assessments. Data from local municipalities is aggregated and used to adjust national infrastructure  planning and financing.

Conclusion: From Policy to Practice, from Compliance to Culture 

The National Environmental Sanitation Policy remains a critical instrument in Nigeria’s quest to  create healthier cities. However, without matching investments in infrastructure, accountability  mechanisms, and behavioural change initiatives, the policy will continue to underperform. 

The experience of Bodija Market demonstrates that while awareness and intent exist, systemic and  structural challenges dilute impact. Closing this gap requires a shift in how sanitation is  conceived—not merely as a scheduled activity but as a daily, institutionalized practice embedded  in urban planning, public health, and economic development strategies. 

With coordinated action, political will, and community engagement, Nigeria can transform its  markets into models of clean, safe, and sustainable commercial spaces. Bodija can lead the way.

Ismaila Salawu

Ismaila Salawu

Ismaila Salawu is an Evidence-informed Policymaking champion. He is a fellow at the Cheetahs Policy Institute and the Africa Research and Impact Network, Kenya.