Disseminating Critical Climate Information
Disseminating Critical Climate Information

Nigeria’s environmental concerns deepen as recycling declines by 19%

Nigeria’s journey toward environmental sustainability faced a setback in 2024, as waste recycling efforts declined by 19%, according to the latest report by the State of the Nigerian Environment (STONE). 

Despite the challenges, there are signs of improvement in Nigeria’s environmental landscape.

The latest STONE report revealed that the number of Nigerians living in unclean environments dropped slightly, from 183 million in 2023 to 179 million in 2024. Ene Owoh, national coordinator of Clean-Up Nigeria (CUN), attributed this progress to reductions in open defecation. However, he expressed concern over the 7% drop in waste recycling rates, underscoring the need for renewed efforts.

The report’s annual cleanliness performance index ranked Akwa Ibom and Abuja as the cleanest areas in Nigeria, showcasing that targeted initiatives can yield tangible results.

Also, the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) has partnered with the Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) to roll out monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems that aim to reduce emissions. These efforts target short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) in three key sectors: oil and gas, agriculture, and waste. During a workshop in Abuja, NCCC Director-General Nkiruka Maduekwe highlighted the importance of precise monitoring and verification to ensure accountability and advance progress.

However, Nigeria’s environmental challenges extend beyond waste recycling.

In the oil-rich Niger Delta, a coalition of environmental advocacy groups has called on President Bola Tinubu to halt the proposed divestment of oil company assets. These groups insist that companies first clean up the environmental damage inflicted on host communities before relinquishing their operations. The coalition has further demanded the establishment of an environmental restoration fund to address the long-term impacts of oil exploration.

In a bid to support industrial sustainability, the Nigerian government has partnered with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). Their joint initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions across Nigeria’s industries. Oluyomi Banjo, UNIDO’s national programme coordinator, highlighted plans to train local experts who can support climate action not just in Nigeria but across Africa. He noted that industries worldwide account for one-third of total energy consumption and nearly 40 percent of global carbon emissions

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