By Faridat Salifu
The Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) has urged government at all levels to formally recognize waste pickers as key actors in the country’s climate and development agenda.
The association made the appeal in a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Salisu Ali Yarima, to mark Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary on Wednesday.
WAPAN described waste pickers as “nation builders” who play a frontline role in reducing pollution, advancing climate adaptation, and safeguarding public health.
Yarima said that despite these contributions, waste pickers remain marginalized, neglected, and denied recognition by institutions and the wider public.
He stressed that Nigeria cannot achieve its sustainability targets or climate goals without formally integrating waste pickers into national policies and strategies.
According to him, waste pickers are responsible for diverting significant volumes of plastic and other recyclable materials from landfills and waterways every day.
He explained that this work directly supports Nigeria’s commitments to international climate agreements and environmental protection frameworks.
The WAPAN president noted that while advocacy has led to some progress, with certain agencies and organizations beginning to acknowledge the role of waste pickers, broader systemic change is still lacking.
“Waste pickers are not invisible laborers,” Yarima declared in the statement.
“We are nation builders whose contributions are vital to Nigeria’s progress in sustainability, climate resilience, and economic inclusion,” he added.
Yarima emphasized that WAPAN is not a political organization but acknowledged that civic participation has become central to securing recognition and protection for members.
He therefore urged over one million waste pickers across Nigeria to register and obtain their voter cards.
He maintained that political participation would enable waste pickers to influence policies that directly affect their livelihoods and wellbeing.
The association stated that it is prepared to support any candidate, regardless of political party, who commits to recognizing waste picking as dignified work.
Such a candidate, Yarima said, must also pledge to provide support for waste pickers and integrate them into Nigeria’s climate and development strategies.
He assured that to such a candidate, WAPAN would pledge the unified backing of its members nationwide.
The statement further expressed gratitude for Nigeria’s resilience as a nation in the face of economic, environmental, and social challenges.
Yarima acknowledged the progress the country has made in different sectors while pointing out that environmental degradation remains a pressing threat.
He said that waste pickers, though often overlooked, have consistently contributed to mitigating these threats at the grassroots level.
WAPAN called on political leaders to go beyond rhetoric and adopt deliberate policies that place waste pickers at the heart of climate action and environmental protection.
The association stressed that recognizing waste pickers is not just a matter of social justice but also a practical necessity for building a sustainable and inclusive Nigeria.
On the occasion of the 65th independence anniversary, Yarima said leaders should embrace waste pickers as indispensable partners in the nation’s future.
He opined that Nigeria’s journey toward sustainability will only succeed if those who work daily to clean its streets, reduce waste, and recycle materials are given the dignity and recognition they deserve