By Barbara Nwaiwu
The Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of _NatureNews_, Aliu Akoshile, has urged the Advisory Council of the Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) to push for a Waste Pickers Bill of Rights and Regulations.
Speaking on Monday at the inauguration of WAPAN’s Advisory Council in Abuja, Mr. Akoshile who argued that Nigeria must stop “importing climate solutions”, said the country should recognise existing solutions in the informal waste sector, which is valued at over ₦500 billion annually.
“We don’t need to import climate solutions. We only need to recognise the ones we already have,” Akoshile said, asking: “Why are waste pickers not fully integrated into the EPR funds? Why are waste pickers not part of carbon credit talks? Why do producer companies profit, while your members face harassment from task forces?”
Addressing waste pickers directly, Akoshile rejected negative labels like “criminal scavengers,” describing them as officials of the “People’s Ministry of Environmental Solutions.”
He said waste pickers are responsible for Nigeria recycling up to 12% of its plastic waste. “If that is not environmental service, then what is?” he asked.
He added that every tonne of plastic recovered by waste pickers saves the country about 1.5 tonnes of carbon emissions. “Every day your members are cutting Nigeria’s climate bill at no direct variable cost to the government,” he said.
Mr. Akoshile charged the Advisory Council to secure two outcomes before its first anniversary: health insurance under the NHIA for waste pickers, and legal protection from harassment.
He proposed codifying both in a bill to the National Assembly titled _“Waste Pickers Bill of Rights and Regulations,”_ calling it “a novel idea in Nigeria.”
He noted that Brazil gave waste pickers pensions while India gave them ID cards. Nigeria should give them dignity and protection,” he said.
Akoshile reassured that _NatureNews_ is WAPAN’s “foremost media partner,” committing to track “every kobo of EPR money and similar environmental funds.”
“If the money doesn’t reach the hands that do the work, we will investigate and report it. That is our promise,” he said.
He announced a new section in NatureNews, _“Voice from the Dumpsite,”_ to feature waste pickers’ stories. He called on WAPAN state chairmen to collaborate with the NatureNews to “populate the section with quality storytelling.”
“Today, we are not just inaugurating a Council. We are inaugurating a truth: That Nigeria’s green future is already walking our streets — with sacks on their backs. It’s time we walked with them,” Akoshile said.
The Advisory Council, chaired by His Royal Highness Muhammad Sa’in Lere, was inaugurated to provide institutional direction and strategic mentorship for WAPAN.
The Council also includes Mrs Amaka Onyemelukwe of Coca-Cola Foundation; Engr. Prof. Abdulhameed Danjuma Mambo of Nile University of Nigeria: Engr. Haydar Mijinyawa of FOSSREA; and Engr. Mansur Ahmed, former Group Executive Director of Dangote Industries Limited.
Others are Alhaji Ali Sabo Yakasai, member of the Board of Trustees of WAPAN, Hajia Ladi Katagum, former Executive Secretary of Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, Ms Funto Borofice, Founder/CEO of Chanja Datti, Mrs Agharese Lucia Onaghise, Executive Director of ERRA, Comrade Salisu Ali Yarima, WAPAN President, and Alhaji Suleiman Adama as Secretary to the Council.
In his keynote address, the Dean of Environment Sciences, Nile University Abuja, Prof. Abdulhameed Danjuma Mambo noted that advisory structures are essential for ensuring strong governance, policy alignment, and sustainable growth.
He added that such frameworks would help scale impact and align with national and global sustainability goals.
The event was graced by many stakeholders including Engr (Dr.) Bahijjatu Abubakar, Director of Pollution Control, Federal Ministry of Environment; Mrs. Hannatu Ibrahim, Director of Environment, AMAC; Dr. Emmanuel Akeh, Director of Abuja Secretariat, NACCIMA, and RUWES Head of Secretariat, Mrs Jumaima Ellah.
In his acceptance remarks, the Chairman of the Council, HH Alhaji Muhammad Yusuf, Sa’in Lere, said the Advisory Council would provide strategic direction to support WAPAN’s vision of building a more organised, impactful, and economically productive waste management system in Nigeria.
