Video: Waste dump sites take over Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja

By Faridat Salifu

The indiscriminate disposal of solid waste in Abuja has become a pressing public health and environmental challenge, with residents and business owners raising alarm over uncollected heaps in parts of the city.

This might be the only site some people have seen, but there are many others scattered across the city, making it highly unpleasant for a capital city.

One of the most visible sites sits by Jabi Park, near Rock of Ages Mall and A.A. Rano Filling Station, where a growing mountain of trash has turned into an eyesore and a potential health hazard for commuters, traders, and residents.

The site, located in full view of Jabi Garage, is impossible to miss for travelers entering the city. Residents told Nature News correspondent that it could not be an official dumpsite, noting that no government-recognized site would be placed on a busy roadside without evacuation or monitoring.

Officials of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) declined to respond when visited, saying the director was unavailable and the officer in charge of the zone was absent, with repeated efforts to reach him proving abortive.

Locals recently resorted to setting the waste on fire in an effort to reduce its volume. The damp pile, however, produced thick smoke and a foul stench that spread across the neighborhood.

“Our health is at risk,” said a resident at Jabi Garage.
“This is Jabi, a major part of Abuja where travelers pass daily, but what they see is dirt,” added another resident.

Medical experts warn that open burning and prolonged exposure to such waste sites increase the risk of respiratory problems and other health complications. According to the World Health Organization, more than 90 percent of children under the age of 15 breathe toxic air daily, putting 1.8 billion children globally at risk. The State of Global Air report further revealed that air pollution was responsible for 8.1 million deaths worldwide in 2021, including 700,000 children under five.

Another hotspot is the Third Avenue Junction in Gwarinpa, directly in front of BEW Photogenic Studio, beside the Vitafoam depot, and close to Ebony Hospital. Though not a designated dumpsite, locals say the volume of waste dumped there makes it appear like one.

“They come only when most of the dirt has decayed, dried up, or nearly washed away by rain,” said a nearby shop owner.
“It took heavy rainfall to scatter the trash, and that made it worse. The entire area smelled horrible, and you couldn’t even pass without covering your nose,” she added.

Corn vendors and other traders reported that the stench often disrupts business and drives customers away. One vendor admitted:

“We all throw our waste there because everyone else does. We don’t know if it’s approved or not, but that’s where people have been dumping waste for years.”

Some residents confessed that late-night dumping has become routine since no visible bins or facilities are provided within walking distance. Locals report symptoms such as catarrh, throat irritation, and headaches, particularly among children and the elderly.

Recently, after protests over the bad smell, residents started clearing part of the site at Third Avenue, though much work still needs to be done.

From the front of Twin Plaza near Harmony Estate in Dawaki, another pile of waste continues to accumulate. Residents are worried that, if left unattended, it will grow into a larger, more hazardous dump like other areas in the city.

Opposite Zenith Bank in Jabi, refuse is also beginning to pile up. While not as large as other sites, residents fear it could expand quickly if preventive measures are not taken.

Under the Federal Housing bridges in Kubwa, refuse continues to accumulate, creating unpleasant and dangerous conditions. The long and visible piles of dirt affect commuters passing by constantly. Residents, as well as scavengers, contribute to the accumulation, making the site an eyesore for the community.

In front of Kelina Hospital, Gwarinpa, similar scenes of indiscriminate waste persist. The area is meant to save lives, yet the piles affect residents, visitors, and nearby businesses.

Locals say responsibility does not rest solely on the government; residents need to play their part to keep the area clean.

Until proper waste management measures are implemented, such as routine collection, sanitation enforcement, and installation of proper disposal facilities, residents warn that unattended piles will continue to grow, damaging Abuja’s image as the nation’s capital and exposing thousands to avoidable health risks.

While this may be the only site that has been photographed or reported in detail, residents warn that heaps of waste are scattered across many parts of the city. For a capital city like Abuja, the widespread indiscriminate disposal of refuse not only mars its image but also poses serious health and environmental risks, making the situation highly unpleasant for both residents and visitors.