The Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) has called for comprehensive government policies to fully harness Nigeria’s green potentials in the waste management value chain. Speaking at the Lagos Waste Forum, AWAMN National President, Olugbenga Adebola, emphasized the need for collaboration among stakeholders and the implementation of actionable strategies to transform the sector.
Adebola highlighted that the waste management industry is capital-intensive, requiring significant investment in trucks, collection equipment, and recycling infrastructure. He advocated for government-backed long-term funding at single-digit interest rates to ease financial burdens on industry players.
“Government must provide an enabling environment where investments in waste management yield returns over time. Loans should have realistic repayment terms, unlike commercial bank options that come with high interest and short repayment periods,” Adebola stated.
He stressed the importance of sorting waste at its source, saying, “Waste is not a waste unless you waste it. Mixed waste reduces the quality of materials available for recycling and hinders the circular economy.”
Adebola also urged the government to incentivize industrial retrofitting and support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) engaged in waste processing and recycling. “Protecting local manufacturers and encouraging research implementation from universities will foster innovation and sustainable development,” he said.
He called for greater collaboration between government, industry players, and academic institutions to develop localized solutions for waste conversion and recycling. “We need to marry the town and the gown, leveraging local research to create efficient waste management technologies,” Adebola added.
The AWAMN president concluded by stressing the critical role of government in protecting small-scale investments and ensuring the sustainability of Nigeria’s waste management sector.
