By Faridat Salifu
Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable economic growth without integrating informal sectors into formal value chains, said Engr Jani Ibrahim, President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).
Engr Ibrahim said this on Monday in a goodwill message at the inauguration of the pioneer Advisory Council of the Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) in Abuja.
Represented by the Chamber’s Director of Abuja Secretariat, Dr. Emmanuel N. Akeh, NACCIMA President emphasised that waste pickers remain critical to Nigeria’s economy despite being largely under-recognised.
He said the waste management sector presents vast opportunities for job creation, recycling industries, climate action and green investments, noting that with the right policy support, it could contribute significantly to Nigeria’s GDP.
According to him, the inauguration of the Advisory Council marks a significant step in strengthening institutional governance, stakeholder engagement and strategic direction within Nigeria’s waste management ecosystem.
“It is also a clear demonstration of WAPAN’s commitment to professionalism, inclusion and sustainability,” he said.
Engr Ibrahim noted that the theme of the event, “Building Structure for Inclusion, Sustainability and National Impact,” reflects a collective aspiration to build a resilient and inclusive economy.
He stressed that waste pickers play a vital role in promoting environmental sustainability and supporting livelihoods across the country, calling for their formal integration into structured systems.
The President said NACCIMA remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote enterprise development and inclusive growth, expressing readiness to collaborate with WAPAN in policy advocacy, capacity building, investment promotion and public-private partnerships.
He further expressed confidence that the newly inaugurated Advisory Council would provide the strategic guidance needed to strengthen WAPAN’s impact and policy advocacy.
The Advisory Council is chaired by His Highness, Alhaji Muhammad Yusuf, Sa’in Lere and includes Engr. Mansur Ahmed, former Executive Director of Dangote Industries; Hajia Ladi Katagum, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission; Ms Funto Borofice, Founder/CEO of Chanja Datti; Mrs Agharese Lucia Onaghise, Executive Director of ERRA, and Comrade Salisu Ali Yarima, WAPAN President.
Other members of the Council are Mrs Amaka Onyemelukwe of the Coca-Cola Foundation; Prof. Abdulhameed Danjuma Mambo, Dean of Environmental Sciences at Nile University of Nigeria; Engr. Haydar Mijinyawa of FOSSREA; Alhaji Ali Sabo Yakasai; and Alhaji Suleiman Adama, who serves as Secretary to the Council.
The event also featured goodwill messages from representatives major stakeholders of the environment sector including Engr (Dr.) Bahijjatu Abubakar, Director of Pollution Control, Federal Ministry of Environment; Mrs. Hannatu Ibrahim, Director of Environment, AMAC; Mr. Aliu Akoshile, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of NatureNews; and RUWES Head of Secretariat, Mrs Jumaima Ellah.
Earlier, WAPAN National President, Comrade Salisu Ali Yarima, delivered a welcome address, while a keynote by Prof. Abdulhameed Danjuma Mambo highlighted the role of the Advisory Council in providing strategic guidance, governance oversight and credibility.
The inauguration ceremony included the presentation of Council members, issuance of certificates and acceptance speech by the Council Chairman, His Highness, Alhaji Muhammad Yusuf, Sa’in Lere.