The Waste Management Society of Nigeria (WAMASON) has urged Nigerians to embrace proper waste disposal, recycling, and environmental sanitation to promote public health and a cleaner environment.
The call was made during a public sensitisation campaign in Abuja on Saturday to mark the 2026 World Population Day.
The event was organised in collaboration with the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON).
Speaking at the event, the Counsellor of the Waste Management Society of Nigeria, FCT Council, Mr Femi Kinirin, said the volume of waste generated increases in direct proportion to population growth.
Kinirin warned that without adequate planning and effective waste management systems, cities would continue to grapple with environmental pollution.
He noted that although Abuja’s population is expanding, the city does not have to become dirty if the government and citizens play their respective roles in managing waste.
According to him, existing environmental laws are sufficient but require consistent enforcement to ensure compliance.
He urged Nigerians to see waste management as a personal responsibility rather than leaving it solely to the government. He stressed that waste should be sorted at source, properly disposed of in designated bins, and kept off the streets.
Kinirin said separating waste at source could significantly reduce the volume of refuse sent to landfills while creating opportunities for recycling and resource recovery.
He also advocated sanctions against individuals who litter public spaces and businesses that fail to provide waste receptacles.
The National Treasurer of WAMASON, Mrs Adeola Omotunde, said the campaign was organised to educate traders on the importance of keeping their surroundings clean and disposing of waste properly.
According to her, rapid population growth has led to increased waste generation, making proper waste management even more critical.
She urged Nigerians to view waste as a valuable resource through recycling, reuse, and other waste-to-wealth initiatives that could create jobs and improve livelihoods.
Also speaking, an Assistant Director of Licensing at EHCON, Sanitarian Hauwa Opaluwa, expressed concern over the poor sanitation observed in the market.
Opaluwa said keeping the environment clean was a shared responsibility that required the support of residents, businesses, and government.
She said environmental health officers were empowered by law to enforce sanitation regulations and prosecute offenders where necessary.
She urged Nigerians to make proper use of sanitation facilities and avoid indiscriminate waste disposal to ensure a healthy and sustainable environment for present and future generations.
On his part, Mr Yusuf Saidu, an official of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), urged residents to embrace proper waste sorting and disposal as part of efforts to improve environmental sanitation and promote waste-to-wealth initiatives.
Saidu stressed that public awareness remains critical to effective waste management. He urged residents and traders to dispose of refuse only in designated waste bins.
He advised members of the public to separate recyclable materials, particularly plastic bottles, from other waste to support recycling and waste-to-wealth programmes.
According to him, waste collection is more efficient when residents properly store their refuse for evacuation by designated waste collection trucks rather than littering the environment.
Saidu added that sustained public enlightenment and responsible waste disposal practices are essential to maintaining a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
