While industries and vehicles are often recognized as major contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, decomposing waste remains a significant yet frequently overlooked source in Nigeria. Like many urban centers in the country, Kaduna is also facing an escalating crisis in waste management which has become a pressing concern among the residents as streets are frequently lined with heaps of refuse, and drainage systems are frequently clogged with waste. This not only creates immediate environmental and public health hazards; such as increased incidence of malaria and diarrhea-but also aggravates the broader challenge of global climate change.
Improper disposal of organic and solid waste in landfills results in the emission of methane, a potent greenhouse gas; which according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), accounts for nearly 20% of global GHG emissions, thereby intensifying the effects of climate change. These gases accumulate and; therefore drive extreme weather patterns, such as the heat waves and unrelenting floods. Without urgent action, the waste we discard today could fuel the disasters of tomorrow.
Despite having an Environmental Protection Law No. 7 of 2010, State Policy on Environment 2019; and Regulation No.1 of 2010 on Solid Waste Management, the absence of proper planning has made Kaduna’s waste management system face numerous challenges, including inadequate waste collection services, prevalent illegal dumping and relatively low numbers of recycling initiatives compare to cities like Lagos. However, sometime in 2021, the state tripartite cities (Kaduna Capital Territory Authority, Zaria Metropolitan Authority and Kafanchan Municipal Authority) have played a significant role in waste management through waste collection. Following the Kaduna State House of Assembly repealed the laws that established the cities; led to a regression in services and a noticeable increase in unmanaged waste across many areas.
A study focusing on eggshell waste in the Kaduna Metropolis revealed an annual generation of approximately 32,667 kilograms of waste, with 85.4% ending up in open dumpsites. This reflects broader inefficiencies within the waste management system. The environmental and health consequences are significant ranging from soil and groundwater contamination to air pollution from open burning and heightened risks of communicable diseases. Areas like Tudun Wada, Tudun Nupawa, Rigasa, Sabo Tasha, Kaduna Central Market, Ungwan Rimi, and Ungwan Kanwa are particularly affected, with large accumulations of waste compromising public health and obstructing community spaces.
The connection between waste disposal and climate change is scientifically well-established. Organic and solid waste decomposition in landfills releases methane-a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 28 times greater than that of carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. In Kaduna, the pervasive practice of open dumping and incineration further exacerbates this issue by contributing to local air pollution and altering climatic patterns.
Similarly, plastic waste is another critical concern. Produced from fossil fuels, plastics release significant GHGs during their manufacturing and disposal. The Nigerian government’s 2024 announcement of a ban on single-use plastics, effective from January 2025, reflects growing urgency around plastic pollution. However, the success of this policy will depend largely on the public’s awareness and the availability of alternatives, both of which remain limited.
To address the impacts of global warming, in 2024, Kaduna State made a notable advancement by unveiling a 10-year Climate Change Policy under the leadership of Governor Dr. Uba Sani. This policy aims to integrate climate resilience and sustainability into state planning. However, despite this progressive vision, significant gaps persist in policy implementation, funding allocation, and enforcement mechanisms.
In contrast, while other cities such as Accra and Kigali have achieved measurable progress in waste management through structured policies, targeted funding, and active citizen participation Kaduna and other cities within Nigeria are still lagging behind. In Nigeria, city like Lagos for instance, has made strides in waste management through public-private partnerships and community engagement initiatives. Kaduna can draw valuable lessons from these examples to enhance its waste management strategies.
To address Kaduna’s pressing waste management challenges and its broader implications for climate change, a comprehensive and actionable strategy is essential. The following recommendations aim to call for action to strengthen policy implementation and promote community-wide participation:
Strengthen Enforcement Mechanisms: The government should reactivate and empower the Environmental Task Force to monitor, regulate, and penalize illegal dumping and open waste burning. This can be achieved by introducing mobile environmental courts or rapid-response environmental enforcement units to promptly prosecute violations. A notable and successful case study is Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), also known as KAI (Kick Against Indiscipline), in Lagos, Nigeria.
Expand Public Education and Community Engagement: The government needs to launch sustainable public awareness campaigns through radio, television, and community outreach to educate the public on the environmental and health risks of improper waste disposal. Additionally, environmental and climate change education should be integrated into school curricula to foster climate-conscious attitudes from an early age. One of the successful case studies is the Rwanda Umuganda Community Work & National Awareness Campaigns, a renowned public awareness campaigns about proper waste management and environmental hygiene through radio, television, schools, and grassroots outreach. Another significant initiative is the South Korea Volume-Based Waste Fee (VBWF).
Incentivize Recycling and Circular Economy Models: The government can offer incentives or grants to businesses that specialize in recycling or upcycling waste materials. This would encourage the establishment of recycling centers at the local government level and incentivize waste sorting at the household level. A successful story is the South African Recycling Enterprise Support Programme (RESP), where the government targeted to increase recycling rates, reduce environmental degradation, and stimulate green entrepreneurship, especially in under-resourced municipalities.
Reinforce Institutional Coordination and Local Government Integration: The state government should mandate each Local Government Authority (LGA) to develop localized waste management plans that align with the state’s climate policy and the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets, and take action to mitigate and adapt to climate change. This can also be achieved by establishing an inter-agency collaboration framework between the Ministry of Environment, LGAs, and community-based organizations. The Kenya-County Climate Change Fund (CCCF) Model, is a project, directly aimed to contribute to Kenya’s NDC targets, especially in areas of GHGs reduction, resilient ecosystems, and sustainable land use and it is a successful case study that Kaduna State can draw valuable lessons from.
FAHAD ALIYU MUHAMMED
Fahad is a researcher and a dedicated advocate for green sustainability. He is a Policy Impact Fellow at Cheetahs Policy Institute.