By Abbas Nazil
Environmental experts and senior public officials have called for stronger collective action to tackle environmental pollution, poor sanitation practices, and plastic waste management challenges across Nigeria, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory and surrounding areas.
The warning came during a public clean-up and environmental awareness programme in Abuja where stakeholders emphasized that environmental protection requires cooperation from government, private sector actors, communities, and young people.
Former Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment and CEO of Digital Peers International, Dr. Ibukun Odusote, urged citizens to adopt responsible plastic use and support youth-driven innovations aimed at reducing plastic pollution.
She stressed that sustainable environmental progress depends on behavioral change, stronger recycling systems, and the creation of economic opportunities within the plastic value chain.
Odusote also highlighted the important role played by informal waste collectors known locally as “Baban Bola,” noting that despite controversy surrounding them, they contribute significantly to recycling and waste removal in urban areas.
Her remarks come amid ongoing debates in Abuja and other northern cities where authorities have restricted scavenging activities in city centers due to alleged links with crime and public safety concerns.
Security agencies and environmental authorities have enforced bans in some areas, directing informal waste pickers to designated dump sites to reduce risks and improve regulation of waste collection.
Speaking at the same event under a DPI-SG project supported by international development partners, Odusote said cleaner communities can only be achieved through sustained collaboration and shared responsibility among all stakeholders.
Environmental officials from the Abuja Environmental Protection Board also warned that indiscriminate dumping of waste and poor sanitation practices continue to threaten public health and worsen flooding in urban communities.
Representatives emphasized that improper waste disposal damages drainage systems, increases disease outbreaks, and reduces the overall livability of cities across Nigeria.
They added that households, schools, markets, and businesses all have a role to play in maintaining clean environments through proper waste segregation, recycling, and responsible disposal practices.
Officials further noted that environmental cleanliness is not solely a government responsibility but a shared civic duty that requires consistent participation from all residents.
They also encouraged increased youth engagement in environmental innovation, particularly in recycling and waste-to-wealth initiatives that can support both economic growth and environmental protection.
The event concluded with renewed calls for stronger environmental enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and investment in sustainable waste management systems to address Nigeria’s growing pollution challenges.
