By Abdullahi Lukman
Officials and members of the Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) celebrated their National President, Comrade Salisu Ali Yarima, as he received the prestigious NatureNews’ Hero of Environmental Action for Development (HEAD) Award for 2025.
The spectacular award was presented by the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of NatureNews, Aliu Akoshile, at a classy ceremony held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, on Tuesday.
Akoshile said the award, which qualifies Comrade Yerima as an environmental champion, recognises his outstanding leadership and tireless efforts in advancing environmental sustainability through inclusive waste management, circular economy, and empowerment of the waste workers.
The publisher described WAPAN as a strategic partner in environmental action.
“NatureNews draws attention to environmental issues, and WAPAN takes practical steps to address them,” he said.
Akoshile said that “to make the environment sustainable, everyone must imbibe responsible waste management — from waste generation, waste sorting, waste disposal to waste recycling.”
He said NatureNews creates awareness on environmental issues while WAPAN takes action in partnership with other stakeholders, adding that effective waste management is sine qua non for harmonious ecosystem.
Speaking after receiving the elegant award plaque, Comrade Yerima described the award as a very credible one coming from NatureNews, Africa’s most authoritative newspaper on environment.
Comrade Yerima, who disclosed that he was pleasantly surprised to receive the newspaper’s letter conveying his selection as winner of the HEAD award, commended the editorial board of NatureNews for maintaining journalistic integrity and professional ethics.
Reflecting on WAPAN activities, the President said 2025 has been a year of phenomenal growth, resilience, and unity, adding that the HEAD award is dedicated to all members of WAPAN wherever they are in Nigeria.
“When we began 2025, our goal was to amplify the role of waste pickers not merely as part of the system but as the very backbone that sustains environmental health,” he said.
Comrade Yerima who disclosed that the Association’s national conference has been rescheduled for February 2026 to ensure broader participation, said the HEAD award ceremony served as an opportunity to celebrate achievements, strengthen partnerships, and reaffirm the association’s mission.
Speaking at the event, Aliyu Awal, a senior member of WAPAN’s leadership team, outlined key milestones the association has recorded under Comrade Yerima’s tenure:
According to him, over 1,000 waste pickers were mobilized for World Cleanup Day campaigns in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano — including what is believed to be the largest sea cleanup in Nigeria’s history.
He said more than 200 waste pickers received training in recycling, occupational safety, and financial inclusion across Delta, Oyo, Katsina, Kaduna, and Kano states.
On stakeholders collaboration, Mr. Awal said WAPAN partnered with SFC Training Academy to provide certification and professional development for recycling SMEs and informal workers.
In Jigawa State, over 600 young women were empowered through an upcycling program, turning plastic waste straps into marketable goods, promoting green entrepreneurship, he noted.
Mr. Awal disclosed further that the association gained a seat at the table in national and regional plastic policy forums, including the EPR integration framework and ECOWAS Regional Plastics Action Policy drafting group.
He listed other strides to include the strategic collaborations WAPAN forged with UNICEF, BASF, the World Bank, WAEMU, and several state governments to develop inclusive plastic waste management models.
Mr. Awal said WAPAN also advanced the formal recognition of waste pickers in Nigeria’s circular economy, advocating for improved livelihoods, healthcare, and integration into organised recycling systems.
Chairperson of the event, Hajiya Ladi Katagum commended WAPAN for raising the visibility of waste pickers, saying many of them face hazardous conditions without protection.
“Formalising their role is a critical step in ensuring they have access to healthcare and social support,” she noted.
In his remarks, Ecosystem expert, Dr. Peter Anyim, emphasised the significance of WAPAN efforts in the context of Nigeria’s growing environmental challenges.
“We generate over 30 million tonnes of waste annually, but managed only a quarter of that. With associations like WAPAN scaling up, we can turn waste into wealth and raise that recovery rate to 50%,” he said.
Speaking earlier, NatureNews Managing Director, AbdulRasheed Yusuf explained the rigorous selection process for the award winners.
He said a few candidates were shortlisted from a pool of nominees and then screened meticulously to ensure they actually deserved to be named environmental champions as the HEAD award winners are regarded.
The event, which was coordinated by WAPAN Secretary General, Alhaji Suleiman Adama, was also graced by Agharese Onaghise, Executive Director of Recycling Alliance, a major partner of WAPAN, and her team.
WAPAN state coordinators also shared field updates. Plateau State’s General Secretary, Mr. Paul, stressed the need for localized recycling centers.
Lagos state Coordinator Franklyn Adebisi highlighted the state’s network of over 60 partners and ongoing partnerships with UNIDO, LASEPA, UNICEF, Coca-Cola Foundation, and BASF/GIZ.
Mr Adebisi also noted recent digital literacy and financial inclusion programs funded by development partners.
Other state chairmen who graced the event include Masud Kabir, Plateau State; Joy Esiolu, Ogun State; AbdulRasaq Muhammad, Katsina State; and Arc. Muhammad Bello, Kaduna State.
Others are Adedeji Kazeem, Kogi State; Gabriel Cole, Delta State; Khalifa Sani, Kano State; Dr. Dorothy Sani, Abuja/FCT; and Mustapha Madaki, Nasarawa State.
Speaking in quick sucession the Chairmen praised Comrade Yarima for his visionary leadership over the years as they reaffirmed their shared commitment to turn waste into wealth and protect Nigeria’s environment through unity, innovation, and strategic action.
