Citation:

Ahmed, A and Obanore, S and Paul, P (2022) Waste Management Regulations Enforcement: Lead
Way to a Healthy Environment in Nigeria. Trends in Civil Engineering and its Architecture, 4 (3). pp.
673-677. ISSN 2637-4668 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32474/TCEIA.2022.04.000188

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 Trends in Civil Engineering and
its Architecture
DOI: 10.32474/TCEIA.2022.04.000188

ISSN: 2637-4668 Research article

Waste Management Regulations Enforcement: Lead Way to

a Healthy Environment in Nigeria
Sonny Omon Obanore1, Ash Ahmed2* and Parneet Paul3
1
Civil Engineering Group, Leeds Beckett University, UK
2
Reader, Associate Professor, Civil Engineering Group, Leeds Beckett University, UK
3
Professor, Civil Engineering Group, Leeds Beckett University, UK

*Corresponding author: Ash Ahmed, Reader, Associate Professor, Civil Engineering Group. Leeds Beckett University, UK

Received: July 21, 2022 Published: July 27, 2022

Abstract
Solid waste management is a combination of techniques of disposing of, collecting, and recycling solid waste. Effective
management of waste is vital for maintaining a sustainable environment. In countries where illegal disposal of waste and pollution
are rampant, waste management is a way of dealing with deadly diseases such as cholera and malaria. This study examines the
current regulations in Nigeria with the view to identify the main weakness and provide a way for forwarding. Qualitative data
was analysed thematically to identify current weaknesses in waste management. It identifies weak rules, lack of public education,
limited funding, and inadequate enforcement policies as the main factors that curtail waste management. The study proposes
increased participation of the private sector, public education, and increased funding as a way forward to enhancing the countries
waste management systems. The findings, recommendations and framework of this journal can be extended to all Africa in general
and developing countries.

Keywords:Waste; Management; Regulations; Enforcement; Healthy; Environment; Nigeria

Introduction The environmental issues associated with improper waste disposal

pose significant health risks to the population [2]. In the recent
Waste management is an orderly approach to waste disposal
past, break-out of cholera has been reported in most developing
which is concerned with the safe collection, transportation,
countries in Africa. In developed nations, communities are more
and treatment of solid waste. As the population grows, waste
conscious about environmental pollution, and regulations promote
management becomes a necessity due to increased economic
waste recycling. Nigeria’s population ranks highest in Africa. The
activities and increased volumes of waste [1]. Today, a municipal
complexities in land use associated with high population cause a
waste management system is commonplace. In urban areas
significant challenge in the countries endeavor to deal with waste
where the annual population growth rate is high, regulations and
disposal effectively. According to Ogwueleka (2009), the country
legislation governing solid waste management must be adequately
lags in Solid waste management regulation and legislation. Most of
designed and implemented. The benefits of having an effective
the population are either ignorant or unaware of penalties attached
waste management system are immense; a suitable environment
to improper disposal of waste. The present study seeks to explore
promotes a healthy population, improved economic activities, and
waste management enforcement in Nigeria [3]. The researcher used
an aesthetic environment. Countries around the world are battling
a desktop study approach. The researcher reviewed documents and
with waste disposal. Piles of waste along roads and riverbanks
data relating to waste management regulations and legislation in
are common in developing economies. An array of weaknesses
Nigeria.
has been identified in waste management systems in developing
countries. According to Ogboi (2009), problems such as low and Data Collection
irregular waste collection and inferior disposal methods are
Qualitative data was collected for the current study. A review
common in waste management systems of developing countries.
of current regulations and legislation was conducted by reviewing

Copyright © All rights are reserved by Ash Ahmed. 673

Tr Civil Eng & Arch Volume 4 - Issue 3 Copyrights @ Ash Ahmed

existing laws. Qualitative data was retrieved from disseminated the constitution rendering the local government less powerful, [5].
findings. In addition, the researcher analysed both the Nigerian
In 1987, the Nigerian government came up with an
laws and constitution matters relating to the topic.
environmental agency named Federal Environmental Protection
Literature Review Agency. The Agency manages the toxic waste that was being
dumped by the foreign companies in the city, as is described in the
An extensive review of existing laws and regulations concerning
revised policy on the environment (1999) and The Nation Agenda
waste management in Nigeria is presented. It is crucial to understand
21 (1999). The Agency’s role was to complement the standards of
the existing legislation to facilitate in concluding their impact on the
environmental pollution control and regulation. It regulated the
topic. Three critical areas are given: waste management in Nigeria,
disposal and treatment of hazardous waste from the industries [6].
waste management regulations, and enforcement practices.
The waste collection is in two ways; 1) Door-to-door collection and
Waste management in Nigeria community disposal. The door-to-door assembly required more
staff that collected it from citizens’ homes. The method is difficult
The local government is responsible for the collection and
and expensive to pay the workers [7]. Despite all, the levels of
disposal of waste. The function is given through the constitution
illegal disposal in main cities are increasing. Figure 1 below shows
adopted in 1999, [4]. According to the Nigerian constitution above,
that the waste collected in Nigerian cities ranges between 10,000
the waste management mandate includes maintaining public
tonnes to 260,000 tonnes per month. Generation of waste depends
convenience, sewage, and waste disposal to the local government.
on the cities’ population, those with high population are most likely
A variation of the law has been adopted in certain states. In some
to generate more waste.
states, the government has developed regulations at variance with

Figure 1: Solid Waste Generation in Nigerian Cities Tons Per Month,

Source: Department of Sanitation/Solid Waste Management, workable development. That is; raise public awareness and
Federal Ministry of Environment Abuja Nigeria (2010). understanding of essential connections between environmental
development and improvement; upgrade ecological measures
Waste Management Regulation in Nigeria
and save the sustainable utilisation of ecosystems and natural
Effective waste management all depends on regulations resources; to bring good quality environment for the prosperity
and policy guidelines for environmental sustainability. These and wellbeing of Nigerians [9]. More so, to join other countries
regulations show how Nigeria is committed to sustainable and in compliance with international agencies to achieve utilisation of
efficient management of the environment. There exist several natural resources and successful remedial action of transboundary
agencies and laws that regulate waste management [8]. These environmental pollution [10]. The most significant legal basis
include the Federal Ministry of the environment, the Lagos State for waste management in Nigeria is the Federal Environmental
Waste Management Authority (WMA); The National Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) Act. In July 2007, Nigeria’s president
Standards Regulatory and Enforcement Agency (NESREA); the revoked all FEPA and NESREA laws and signed them into law. In
Ministry of Water Resources. the Nigerian states, the minimum standards are the federal laws.
According to Article 33, the government is allowed to enforce
According to Osinibi (2014) environmental management
stricter measures and firmer sanctions on violators [11].
regulations in Nigeria are on the national policy of 1989. The
purpose of waste management regulation in Nigeria is to attain By law, the local governments manage municipal solid

Citation: Sonny Omon Obanore, Ash Ahmed* and Parneet Paul. Waste Management Regulations Enforcement: Lead Way to a Healthy
Environment in Nigeria. Tr Civil Eng & Arch 4(3)- 2022. TCEIA.MS.ID.000188. DOI: 10.32474/TCEIA.2022.04.000188 674
Tr Civil Eng & Arch Volume 4 - Issue 3 Copyrights @ Ash Ahmed

waste, but because of inadequacy, the involvement of other wastes from industrial and municipal sources are regulated by
state environmental agencies became a necessity. The National NEP regulations S.I.15 of 1991. The Figure 2 below shows that
Environmental Protection (NEP) regulations of 1991 mandate most waste products are being disposed into rivers, public spaces,
industries to have environmental audits, implement boundaries drainage and less percentage of waste collected are being either
on toxic substance emission and set requirements for monitoring recycled or reused.
pollution. Collection, disposal of solid and hazardous and treatment

Figure 2: Illegal Dumping in Nigeria Source: [29].

Regulation enforcement and procedures federal government implemented the waste projects to deal with
the cleaning of the environment, they carried out workshops and
The Customary Courts and Magistrate courts handle Nigerian
the study of waste generation, Nigerian government, decided that
environmental matters. Environmental planning and protection
every citizen should participate in the cleaning of the atmosphere
were the small units in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing
every Saturday of the month [15]
that dealt with environmental protection [12]. when a bill was
taken to parliament in 1981 for the formation of the Federal Enforcement Training Requirement
Environmental Protection Agency, the members of parliament did
The government of Nigeria has made attempts to educate
nothing to the bill, and the industrial pollution continued [13]. The
its citizens about waste management (Nwachukwu, 2008).
enforcement of the environmental policies in Nigeria was slow
Several workshops have been done to train people to understand
due to the political differences in the country and procedures by
hazardous waste and the need for proper disposal of garbage in
the successive government. The federal government of Nigeria
designated dumpsites. The emphasis of these training workshops
implemented the ecological sanitation policy to handle the
is to encourage the safe disposal of waste and encourage recycling
challenges of waste. Still, it didn’t work efficiently because the
activities [15]. However, Figure 3 above shows that illegal disposal
agencies only implemented the procedure in a few states [14]. The
of waste in main cities remains a major problem.

Figure 3: Illegal Waste Dumpsite in Ibadan city, Nigeria, Source: [35].

Citation: Sonny Omon Obanore, Ash Ahmed* and Parneet Paul. Waste Management Regulations Enforcement: Lead Way to a Healthy
Environment in Nigeria. Tr Civil Eng & Arch 4(3)- 2022. TCEIA.MS.ID.000188. DOI: 10.32474/TCEIA.2022.04.000188 675
Tr Civil Eng & Arch Volume 4 - Issue 3 Copyrights @ Ash Ahmed

Discussion feel that legal dumpsites are very far from their homes [22]. In
addition, irregular garbage collection coupled with the limited
What are the Current Regulations in Nigeria? number of garbage collection vehicles encourages illegal dumping
This part examines the existing laws/policies and regulations as shown below.
concerning waste management in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Lead way to Achieving a Healthy Environment in
It highlights some state, federal and municipal regulations on
Nigeria
waste management [16]. This summary shows laws and sufficient
legal structures that already exist to address waste management In order to achieve a healthy environment and a sustainable way
and public health. As mentioned earlier, the responsibility of for waste management in Nigeria, there should be amendments to
waste management lies with the local government. However, the the Federal Republic of Nigeria constitution 1999 to be in line with
federal government also provides regulations and laws relating the African Charter on Human Rights (Ratification and Enforcement)
to waste management. The basis of the statutes is contained was Act and make the right to a healthy environment justifiable. In this
in the federal government constitution of 1999. Section 20 of the way, it will be easy to enforce the environmental laws, and, in the
constitution gives power to the federal government to safeguard end, the agencies dealing with waste management will be effective
and improve the environment that including air, water, and land [23]. Secondly, the government should sensitise the citizens to
[17]. improved waste management methods by the government or its
agencies. Additionally, the waste management agencies should
The federal government has established three regulations on
come up with applicable regulations on waste management. The
waste management and sanitation. These are.
policies/ regulations should have recycling, disposal, and re-use as
a. National Policy Guidelines on Solid Waste Management are the essential aspect for efficient waste collection, transportation,
tasked with ensuring economic and sustainable environmental and disposal activities [24]. Also, the agencies should look at the
health through efficient sanitary solid waste management ways. interest of the workers by providing financial remuneration, which
will reduce the movement between the private sector and the waste
b. National Policy Guidelines on Sanitary Inspection of
management sector because there will be more manpower. It is
Premises aim at promoting a healthy and clean environment
also crucial for the local workers’ contributions and activities to
for the public.
be recognised and included in municipal collection planning [25].
c. National Environmental Sanitation Policy aims at Further, waste management agencies should establish relations
strengthening, stimulating, and promoting government policies with user groups and residential communities for effective service
on sanitation and environmental education. delivery and cost-efficiency [26]. For communities to participate in
waste management, it is vital to have the support of NGOs. There
The Federal Ministry of Environment (FME) was empowered
should be public sensitisation on the effects of waste on health and
by the FEPA act to examine permits or licenses given to any person
environmentally correct ways to manage waste [27].
and arrest anyone against regulations on the environment. The
FEPA act also gives FME power to seize anything used in going The agencies responsible should implement environmentally
against the Act. [18]. The Act provides that any person who violates friendly, economical, and efficient methods in disposing of organic
its provisions is liable to a fine, imprisonment, or both. Any person wastes like bio-digestion, briquetting, and gasification [28]. It is
or organisation who disposes of hazardous materials will take the also essential to promote the use of biodegradable and recyclable
responsibility of any remedial measures. things for daily use. It is vital to have comprehensive policies for
hazardous waste management like waste disposal, collection,
The Reason for Failed Implementation of Regulations.
treatment, and recycling. In this way, the disposal and recycling of
One of the factors that have led to the failed implementation wastes like batteries, plastics, papers, electronics, and lubricating
of waste management regulations is the failure of the state to oils will be addressed by the agencies responsible. The government
implement these regulations [19] Other reasons are lack of public should include Pro-poor plans in waste management to generate
awareness on good waste management practices, will of the public income [29]. More effort should be put by the agencies involved
to pay for waste disposal services for a clean environment. Waste towards increased collection and transportation of wastes. There
generation in Nigeria is estimated at 0.65 to 0.95/kg/capita/day should be strict policies to control how special and hazardous
[20]. Abuja, one of the fastest-growing cities in Nigeria, generates wastes are handled [30]. However, it is essential to have a working
644 thousand tonnes of waste annually. So that to predict and plan transportation system for various waste from rural and urban areas
for waste treatment facilities, it is crucial to know the amount of to disposal and treatment facilities. Finally, strict implementation of
waste generated [21]. But there are no precise data on solid waste the law and provision for amendments and continuous reviews of
generation; most of the data was estimated. The use of pushcarts regulations follow evolving times. There should also be mechanisms
and wheelbarrows transports most wastes generated. Most of it is to deal with changing issues such as electronic waste and implement
illegally dumped. Illegal dumping is rampant because communities the principle of producer responsibility as it is practiced by other

Citation: Sonny Omon Obanore, Ash Ahmed* and Parneet Paul. Waste Management Regulations Enforcement: Lead Way to a Healthy
Environment in Nigeria. Tr Civil Eng & Arch 4(3)- 2022. TCEIA.MS.ID.000188. DOI: 10.32474/TCEIA.2022.04.000188 675
Tr Civil Eng & Arch Volume 4 - Issue 3 Copyrights @ Ash Ahmed

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Citation: Sonny Omon Obanore, Ash Ahmed* and Parneet Paul. Waste Management Regulations Enforcement: Lead Way to a Healthy
Environment in Nigeria. Tr Civil Eng & Arch 4(3)- 2022. TCEIA.MS.ID.000188. DOI: 10.32474/TCEIA.2022.04.000188 677