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Stakeholders back Lagos toilet drive, stress sustainability

Michael Simire
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Stakeholders back Lagos toilet drive, stress sustainability

Stakeholders have described the provision of public toilets by the Lagos State Government as a positive step toward ending open defecation.

The stakeholders spoke in separate interviews on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Lagos.

Mr. Kolawole Banwo, Head of Advocacy, Policy and Communications, WaterAid Nigeria, said the government must provide adequate alternatives before enforcing sanctions.

Tokunbo Wahab
Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab

Banwo said the initiative would only succeed if facilities were functional, accessible and properly maintained.

He stressed the need for continuous water supply, describing toilets without water as ineffective and unusable.

Banwo also called for inclusive designs to ensure access for persons with disabilities, as well as safety, privacy and secure locks, especially for women.

According to him, cleanliness and regular maintenance would determine public acceptance and usage.

He warned that dirty or poorly managed toilets could discourage use, even if access was free.

Banwo urged provision of handwashing facilities to promote hygiene and prevent disease.

He also called for strategic siting of toilets in easily accessible locations to encourage usage.

He urged journalists to monitor the condition of the facilities and hold authorities accountable.

Also speaking, Mr. Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), described the installation of over 1,000 public toilets as commendable.

Jakpor urged banks and other public institutions to allow access to their toilets, in line with government recommendations.

He, however, emphasised the need for proper monitoring and regular disinfection to prevent the facilities from becoming health hazards.

Also, Mr. Michael Simire, the Executive Director of EnviroNews Advocacy & Campaigns for Sustainability (Endvocas), welcomed the initiative.

Simire said the move signalled recognition of the scale of sanitation challenges in densely populated communities.

He, however, stressed that infrastructure alone would not end open defecation.

According to him, toilets must be accessible and affordable, especially in markets, motor parks, waterfronts and informal settlements.

He called for sustainable maintenance frameworks, including community oversight and private sector participation.

Simire emphasised the need for public education and behavioural change to promote hygiene and environmental responsibility.

He added that enforcement of sanitation laws must be fair and humane, noting that infrastructure should precede punitive measures.

He also urged government to publish data on the number, location and operational status of public toilets for transparency.

Simire said the initiative, if properly implemented, would significantly improve sanitation, public health and human dignity.

The Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, had on Saturday, remarked that the state had so far installed about 1,710 toilet across the state.

Wahab said the initiative was part of a robust strategy of the government to put an end to open defecation in the state.

By Fabian Ekeruche

Wildlife trafficking: NESREA, partners apprehend wanted suspect

Michael Simire
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Wildlife trafficking: NESREA, partners apprehend wanted suspect

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has apprehended a suspected wildlife trafficker, Shamsideen Abubakar, after five years on the run.

Mrs. Nwamaka Ejiofor, NESREA’s Assistant Director of Press, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Abuja.

Ejiofor said the arrest was carried out in a joint operation involving NESREA, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC).

Pangolin scales
Bags of pangolin scales siezed from wildlife traffikers

According to her, Abubakar had previously been declared wanted by the Federal High Court in Lagos prior to his arrest.

She said Abubakar, identified as a key figure in a wildlife trafficking network, had been on the run since September 2021.

Ejiofor explained that a coordinated operation by the WJC and NCS earlier led to the arrest of his associates, Sunday Ebenyi and Salif Sandwidi.

She added that the operation also resulted in the seizure of 1,009.5 kilogrammes of pangolin scales in the Ikeja area of Lagos.

Ejiofor said Abubakar’s arrest came five years after his involvement in large-scale wildlife trafficking and nearly two years after he was officially declared wanted by the Federal High Court.

She said the development demonstrates the commitment of Nigerian law enforcement agencies and the WJC to sustained, intelligence-driven investigations.

“This arrest demonstrates the determination of the Nigerian Government and its partners to rid the country of illegal wildlife traffickers and reinforces its zero-tolerance for crimes that threaten biodiversity and violate national and international laws.

“It further disrupts already weakened criminal networks operating within Nigeria and across borders,” she said.

Ejiofor added that the arrest sends a strong signal to wildlife trafficking networks that arrest warrants would be rigorously enforced.

Reacting to the development, the Director-General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, said the agency remained committed to ensuring that Nigeria is not a safe haven for wildlife crime.

“The agency and its partners will pursue, arrest, and prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law.

“We remain resolute and will ensure that every seizure, every arrest, and every conviction is pursued with unrelenting commitment until this illicit trade is eradicated.

“This success is the result of strategic partnerships, intelligence sharing, and joint enforcement operations.

“We commend our partners and other sister agencies, while urging the public to report suspicious activities. We also warn intending traffickers that the era of impunity is over,” Barikor said.

By Doris Esa

Group clamours outright gas flare ban, says penalties not effective

Michael Simire
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Group clamours outright gas flare ban, says penalties not effective

The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) has urged the Nigerian government to ban gas flaring outright, arguing that the oil companies operating in the Niger Delta are very comfortable paying the meagre penalties for flaring rather than stop the practice. 

RDI position comes on the heels of recent data from the Nigerian Oil Spill Monitor spanning the period between March 2012 and 2025 which showed that oil companies operating in Nigeria paid an estimated $646 million in gas flaring penalties in 2025, the highest payments in the last five years. 

Gas flaring
Gas flaring

According to the data, the all-time high penalties payable was $934 million when oil companies in the country flared gas valued at $1.6 billion in 2018. After that there was a dip from 2020 till 2022. The surge in the flares began again in 2023.  

The data shows that flared gas was 349.3 million Standard Cubic Foot (SCF) in 2020. It went down to 264.6 million scf in 2021 and 230.1 million scf in 2022, before rising again to 278.3 million scf in 2023 and 301.3 million scf in 2024.

In a statement issued in Lagos, RDI Executive Director, Philip Jakpor, said: “The increase in payment of the penalties should not be viewed in terms of revenue as the Nigerian government wants us to see it. It should not be a cause for celebration. What it shows is that the oil companies are very comfortable paying what the government portrays as humungous sums rather than saving our environment and people from the toxic emissions.” 

Jakpor maintained that for the polluting oil companies the penalties at $2.00 for 1,000 scf still remains a pat on the back, even as he added that after decades of gas flare-out deadline breaches since 1984 which should have attracted very weighty sanctions the government has capitulated to a position of financialisation of pollution. 

The RDI helmsman argued that successive governments have failed to ask the crucial question which revolves around the cost to the health of the people and their environment and Nigeria’s contribution to climate change through unending emissions from the gas flare stacks.

“Communities living side by side these polluting facilities carry the biggest burdens in form of constant heat, acid rain, poor farm yields, and the health impacts of inhaling methane and other toxic chemicals from the flare sites. That should be the biggest worry of our government instead of so-called revenue.”

He said that the position of RDI is that in the present circumstances when rising payment of flares are celebrated, the government’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2060 is questionable, insisting that the only solution is to stop gas flaring in entirety. 

“A genuine and just energy transition must be built on cutting emission at source rather than encouraging the fossil fuels industry to continue business as usual. An end to gas flaring is what we want to celebrate, not increased revenue from penalties,” he argued.

UNESCO sites offer a lifeline to biodiversity – Report

Michael Simire
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UNESCO sites offer a lifeline to biodiversity – Report

UNESCO’s latest report highlights the extraordinary contribution of its sites for both people and nature. While global wildlife populations have declined by 73% since 1970, those within UNESCO-protected areas have remained comparatively stable. These sites represent over 1,000 languages, and a quarter of them overlap with Indigenous Peoples’ territories.

“People and Nature in UNESCO-Designated Sites: Global and Local Contributions” is the first report to examine all UNESCO categories – World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves, Global Geoparks – as a single network of over 2,260 sites covering more than 13 million km², an area larger than China and India combined.

Khaled El-Enany
Khaled El-Enany, UNESCO Director-General

“The findings are clear: UNESCO sites are delivering for both people and nature. Inside these territories, communities thrive, humanity’s heritage endures, and biodiversity is holding on while it collapses elsewhere. By measuring the global value and contributions of these sites, this report reveals what we stand to lose if they are not prioritised.

“It is an urgent call to scale ambition, recognising UNESCO sites as strategic assets in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss, and investing now to protect ecosystems, cultures, and livelihoods for generations to come,” said Khaled El-Enany, UNESCO Director-General.

A vital network under growing pressure

UNESCO-designated sites encompass more than 60% of globally mapped species, with around 40% of these found nowhere else on Earth, the report shows. These sites also store an estimated 240 gigatons of carbon, equivalent to nearly two decades of current global emissions if released, and each year their forests alone account for approximately 15% of the carbon absorbed by forests worldwide.

Yet despite their global significance, these sites are under mounting pressure. Nearly 90% of sites face high levels of environmental stress, and climate-related hazards have increased by 40% in just the last decade. More than one in four UNESCO-designated sites could reach critical tipping points by 2050, with potentially irreversible impacts. Without stronger action, risks include the disappearance of glaciers, coral reef collapse, species displacement, increasing water stress, and forests turning from carbon sinks into carbon sources.

People and livelihoods at the heart of these landscapes

The report also highlights the profound connection of nature and communities in these environments. Together, these sites are home to nearly 900 million people, roughly 10% of the global population. Over 1,000 languages are documented across UNESCO-designated sites, and at least 25% encompass Indigenous Peoples’ lands and territories, rising to nearly 50% in Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. Overlaying economic output with UNESCO sites and their surrounding areas, the report finds that around 10% of global GDP is generated in these zones.

Acting now can still make a measurable difference

The report finds that action taken today can significantly reduce future risks: every 1°C of warming avoided could halve the number of UNESCO sites exposed to major disruption by the end of the century. These areas also harbour untapped potential for climate policy: while around 80% of national biodiversity plans include UNESCO sites, only 5% of national climate plans do so.

The report calls for scaling up action through four priorities: restoring ecosystems to rebuild resilience; developing sustainably through increased transboundary cooperation; further integrating UNESCO-designated sites into global climate plans; and governing more inclusively with Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

UNESCO sites are worth investing in

UNESCO-designated sites demonstrate that people and nature can thrive together. From wildlife populations holding stable while the rest of the world’s decline, to conservation successes like the recovery of mountain gorillas in areas affected by armed conflict, these places show what is possible when protection is sustained over time and supported by local communities.

The findings of this report, drawing on partnerships with more than 20 leading research institutions worldwide, highlight the need to scale that ambition, recognising UNESCO-designated not only as conservation areas but also as strategic assets for addressing global environmental and societal challenges. Investing in their protection today means safeguarding irreplaceable ecosystems, living cultures, and the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people for generations to come.

Nigeria boosts solar capacity to 300MW, targets 3.7GW to lead West Africa – Aliyu

Michael Simire
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Nigeria boosts solar capacity to 300MW, targets 3.7GW to lead West Africa – Aliyu

Nigeria has increased its domestic solar panel manufacturing capacity to 300 megawatts (MW) from 120 megawatts two years ago

Dr Abba Aliyu, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), made this known during a Webinar, organised by the African Association of Energy Journalists and Publishers (AJERAP) on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Lagos.

He said that the agency is targeting a total of 3.7 gigawatts (GW) in the pipeline, aiming to establish itself as the renewable energy hub for West Africa,

Dr Abba Aliyu
Dr Abba Aliyu, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA)

Aliyu said that Mozambique, Benin, Niger are among nations adopting REA power access model.

He noted that the growth is driven by deliberate government policies under President Bola Tinubu aimed at creating an enabling environment for private sector investment.

“We have moved from about 120 megawatts of local manufacturing capacity to roughly 300 megawatts today, with 3.7GW in the pipeline.

“This is based on a deliberate strategy to build investor confidence and attract private capital into the sector,” he said.

He added that Nigeria recorded about $425 million in investments in 2025 for the establishment of eight renewable energy manufacturing facilities.

According to him, locally manufactured solar panels are now being exported from Lagos to Accra, Ghana, signalling Nigeria’s emergence as a regional manufacturing hub.

“For the first time, Nigeria is producing solar panels locally, and they are already being exported.

“This shows the direction we are heading and the leadership role Nigeria can play in West Africa,” Aliyu said.

The REA MD emphasised that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s 2026 Mini-Grid Regulations, which increase the allowable capacity for interconnected mini-grids to 10MW, have significantly boosted investor confidence and rank among the most effective regulatory frameworks in Africa.

He noted that recent policy changes have increased allowable mini-grid capacity from 1MW to 5MW, and up to 10MW for interconnected systems – opening the door for larger-scale renewable projects.

According to him, the regulations clearly define how mini-grids interact with the main grid, simplifies licensing, and streamlines environmental and social impact assessments.

Aliyu further noted that the expansion in mini-grid capacity could enable cross-border electricity trade, especially in border communities.

“If we deploy large solar farms in border towns, we can sell electricity across countries and deepen regional integration,” he said.

Highlighting the role of the West African Power Pool in integrating on-grid systems across the sub-region, Aliyu called for the development of a complementary off-grid electricity market to drive broader energy access across Africa.

“We may not need to fully integrate national grids immediately, but we can build an integrated off-grid market across border communities,” he added.

According to Aliyu, Nigeria’s electricity access model is increasingly being adopted across Africa, with several countries seeking to replicate its approach.

“Countries like Mozambique, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Mauritania, and Mauritius are engaging with us to understand our framework,” he said.

He emphasised that regional electricity access initiatives will be critical for improving energy security and expanding access across the continent.

Aliyu described Nigeria’s Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) programme as the largest publicly funded renewable energy access initiative globally.

The programme aims to provide electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians by connecting over 2.5 million households and deploying 1,350 mini-grids, including 250 interconnected systems.

“The project is designed around the private sector using a results-based financing model. Developers must mobilise their own capital before accessing incentives,” he said.

He added that the $750 million funding is expected to catalyse an additional $1.1 billion in private sector investment.

“We are already seeing strong traction. Financial institutions and development partners are committing funds, demonstrating confidence in the model,” Aliyu noted.

He cited financing partnerships involving institutions such as Citibank Nigeria, Lotus Bank, and the International Finance Corporation, alongside support from development finance and impact investment organisations.

“The structure of this programme has unlocked significant private financing and is setting a benchmark for renewable energy deployment across the region,” he said.

By Yunus Yusuf

World Earth Day: HOMEF calls for accelerated action to clean energy

Michael Simire
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World Earth Day: HOMEF calls for accelerated action to clean energy

The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has called for accelerated action toward clean energy, environmental restoration, and stronger protection of ecosystems.

HOMEF, an ecology focused non-governmental organisation (NGO), made the call in a statement on Tuesday, April 21, by Miss Kome Odhomor, the organisation’s Communications/Meda Lead, to commemorate the 2026 World Earth Day.

Odhomor quoted the Executive Director of HOMEF, Dr Nnimmo Bassey, as saying that the theme for 2026 edition ”Our Power, Our Planet”, underscored the need for both individual and collective efforts to cut carbon emissions, transition away from fossil fuels, and safeguard biodiversity.

Nnimmo Bassey
Nnimmo Bassey

Bassey warned that escalating environmental challenges from erratic weather patterns to biodiversity loss required urgent and transformative responses rather than gradual change.

According to him, humanity must rethink its relationship with nature. People have the power to preserve the environment and secure a sustainable future.

”We must shift from colonial extraction to stewardship.”

The HOMEF boss also highlighted the critical role ecosystems play in sustaining life, noting that environmental degradation threatens health, food security, and future generations.

He cautioned that failing to act was equivalent to ”burning our father’s house only to inherit the ashes”.

He drew attention to persistent environmental hazards in Nigeria, particularly ongoing oil-related disasters.

He described the disasters as urgent ecological and public safety threats requiring immediate government intervention.

Bassey urged relevant authorities to decommission hazardous sites, rehabilitate affected environments, and support impacted communities.

He also encouraged residents to mark the day through practical actions such as tree planting, reducing single-use plastics, and embracing zero-waste practices.

Bassey emphasised that Earth Day should go beyond symbolic celebration, calling for a renewed global commitment to defend the planet and secure a livable future for all.

Report exposes deadly cost of delaying coal phase-out in South Africa

Michael Simire
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Report exposes deadly cost of delaying coal phase-out in South Africa

A new report released on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, by Greenpeace Africa, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), and GroundWork reveals that delaying the phase-out of coal-fired power in South Africa will result in devastating health and economic consequences.

Titled “Unmasked: The Health and Economic Cost of Delaying Coal Phase-Out in South Africa”, the report finds that keeping these plants open beyond their planned retirement dates will cause an estimated 32,000 additional premature deaths between 2026 and 2050. The health burden extends heavily to children. The delay will result in 41,000 additional preterm births and 17,000 new cases of childhood asthma.

Coal mining
Coal mining in South Africa

The economic toll of these health impacts is staggering. The report calculates the cost to the South African economy at ZAR 721 billion ($38 billion). This includes lost working days and overwhelming pressure on the public healthcare system.

The report highlights a critical geographic disparity. Gauteng is projected to absorb the largest share of additional deaths, with over 15,000 fatalities. The province has no Eskom coal power stations. The transboundary pollution originates in Mpumalanga and settles over Johannesburg and Pretoria.

“For too long, communities living in the shadow of coal have carried the cost with their health, their livelihoods, and their lives. The smoke in their lungs. The dust on their children’s chests. It’s an unacceptable price to pay to keep the lights on for the rest of the country when solutions exist. This report makes that cost impossible to ignore. It is a call for accountability and for urgent action to protect people, not polluters,” said Dr Oulie Keita, Executive Director of Greenpeace Africa.

Dr Keita emphasised that the energy crisis does not justify the health crisis. South Africa has more than 220 GW of renewable energy projects in the pipeline, demonstrating that continued dependence on coal is a policy choice rather than a technical necessity.

Cynthia Moyo, Climate and Energy Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa, said: “This report makes it clear that there is no safe or responsible way to extend the life of coal. South Africa has more than enough wind, solar, and storage capacity to replace every coal plant currently on life support. Keeping these polluting plants open is a deliberate political choice that sacrifices human lives. We demand the government accelerate the coal phase-out immediately and implement a just transition to renewable energy that protects workers and communities.”

Daniel Nesan, Analyst at CREA, said: “Our analysis shows that the health impacts of coal pollution are severe, widespread, and entirely preventable. South Africa has the means to transition to clean energy. The cost of inaction will be measured in lives lost and communities harmed.”

Thomas Mnguni, spokesperson at GroundWork, said: “Communities on the frontlines of coal pollution have been raising the alarm for years. This report validates their lived experience. The right to clean air is a constitutional right, and it is being violated every day that coal plants continue to operate.”

Key Findings

  • 32,000 additional premature deaths projected between 2026 and 2050 if coal plant retirements are delayed under the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)
  • 41,000 additional preterm births and 17,000 new childhood asthma cases: health burdens borne disproportionately by children in coal-affected communities
  • Over 370 deaths in children under five linked to extended coal operations
  • Gauteng bears the largest provincial death toll – more than 15,000 additional deaths – despite having no Eskom coal power stations: pollution from Mpumalanga travels across provincial boundaries
  • 27 million additional lost working days and mounting pressure on an already strained public health system
  • U$38 billion in health-related economic costs – far exceeding any economic case for keeping coal plants operational
  • South Africa has over 220 GW of renewable energy in the pipeline, making the continued extension of coal a political choice, not a technical necessity.

The report was launched on Earth Day in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, a region at the heart of South Africa’s coal industry and among the most affected by air pollution.

Coal is South Africa’s dominant energy resource, supplying around 77% of the country’s primary energy needs and playing a key role in both domestic power generation and exports.

World Earth Day: Coalition urges govts to protect Africa’s ecosystem, hold Shell, others accountable

Michael Simire
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World Earth Day: Coalition urges govts to protect Africa’s ecosystem, hold Shell, others accountable

As the world commemorates Earth Day 2026 Wednesday, April 22, the Africa Make Big Polluters Pay (MBPP) coalition has called for urgent and concrete action to address the escalating climate crisis and the systemic forces driving environmental degradation across Africa.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the coalition said this year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” underscores the reality that the climate emergency is no longer a distant threat but a present and intensifying emergency.

Shell
Shell

“Whether in the forests of Kenya, or in Nigeria’s grasslands, from biodiversity loss and extreme heat, to erratic rainfall, rising sea levels, and climate-induced displacement, the impacts are already being felt globally, with disproportionate consequences for countries in the Global South, particularly across Africa, which contributes the least to global emissions but bears a disproportionate burden,” the coalition stated.

The coalition comprises: Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Nigeria; Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Nigeria; GenderCC, Southern Africa; Climate Awareness Advocacy and Resilience Initiative (CAARI); DWB Foundation, Kenya; Green Climate African Campaign; Household Disaster Resilience Project, Help, Gambia; Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO), Uganda; CherieHomes Global Initiatives, Nigeria; Centre pour la justice environnementale, CJE, Togo; Tell That Story, Nigeria; Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, Nigeria; Liberty Pro Bono Initiative, Uganda; Lekeh Development Foundation, Nigeria; Youth Go Green Network, Liberia; and Vision For Accelerated Sustainable Development (VAST), Ghana.

The coalition stressed that Africa must not continue to serve as a testing ground for experimental carbon schemes or externally imposed solutions that fail to address deep-rooted inequalities. It also rejected the positioning of African lands and ecosystems as sites for unchecked extractivism under the guise of green transitions, carbon offset markets, or mineral-driven energy agendas that reproduce historical patterns of exploitation.

Reaffirming the Polluter Pays Principle, the MBPP coalition called for strict accountability from fossil fuel corporations, including Shell, Chevron, and ExxonMobil in the Niger Delta, as well as from Chinese companies in the Congo and other industrial actors whose activities continue to degrade ecosystems, erode livelihoods, and increase adaptation burdens.

“As exploitation of Africa’s resources grows, the earth’s climate deteriorates,” the group stated. “The coalition hereby calls for an immediate halt to all new fossil fuel exploration and a structured, time-bound phase-out of existing infrastructure.

Furthermore, the group also demanded a strong transition and governance framework that respects ecological sovereignty and prioritises the rights of communities in Africa who steward these ecosystems.

It added: “We reject the growing commodification of nature through carbon markets, biodiversity offsets, and speculative ecological finance mechanisms, which often allow continued emissions in industrialized economies while shifting ecological burdens onto the Global South.

“Ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, soils, and oceans, must be protected by streamlining practical solutions across all government policies as living systems rather than reduced to tradable financial instruments.”

Affirming the significance of soils in ensuring food security, carbon storage, and ecosystem stability, the MBPP Coalition warned that increasing pressures from industrial agriculture, reckless mining, and poorly regulated carbon offset projects, threaten soil integrity.

“Soils, the coalition believes, are a dynamic component of the earth and living systems essential to climate regulation and biodiversity, and must not be treated as tradable carbon sinks.”

Therefore the MBPP coalition stressed that meaningful climate action must embrace systemic transformation, end fossil fuel dependence, and prioritise community-led and Indigenous governance of natural resources.

It added: “This year’s Earth Day must go beyond symbolic observance and instead signal a decisive shift toward ecological protection, enforceable climate justice, and systemic accountability.

“The MBPP Coalition affirms that without holding major polluters accountable, ending fossil fuel expansion, and rejecting extractive and commodified approaches to nature, global climate goals will remain unattainable.

“We therefore call for urgent action grounded in collective responsibility and the shared agency of people, communities, and governments to confront the climate crisis.”

The Africa MBPP coalition is a group of over 32 organisations across the continent, committed to holding polluting corporations accountable for their significant contributions to the climate crisis. Through the MBPP Storytelling Platform, the coalition illuminates the detrimental effects of transnational corporations’ extractive practices, challenge misleading and false narratives, and advocate for sustainable alternatives.

Driving sustainable waste solutions: GIFSEP, GEF-SGP host Nasarawa policy dialogue

Michael Simire
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Driving sustainable waste solutions: GIFSEP, GEF-SGP host Nasarawa policy dialogue

The Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) has called for more practical policies that regard waste as both a societal challenge and an opportunity capable of fostering economic transformation to tackle the inadequate waste management crisis in Nasarawa State.

According to GIFSEP, such policies must prioritise waste reduction, recycling, sustainable financing, and especially bio-waste management, which holds significant potential for value creation.

GIFSEP
Participants at the stakeholder dialogue organised by the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) and the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) to discuss the development of the Nasarawa State Waste Management Policy in Nasarawa State

Speaking at a Stakeholders’ Dialogue organised by GIFSEP, with support from the Global Environment Facility – Small Grants Programme, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Nassarawa State, Ms. Dorcas Nicanor, the acting programmes manager, expressed her concerns regarding the persistent challenge of efficient waste management, which she identified as a significant barrier to the state’s development.

Some of the causes she identified as contributing to the problem include rapid population expansion, urbanisation, poverty, and a lack of awareness about proper disposal of waste, particularly bio-waste.

She revealed that findings from a recent baseline survey that GIFSEP conducted showed that about 71 per cent of dumpsites across the state are unmanaged, with most of them small, scattered, and lacking proper oversight.

Ms. Nicanor also disclosed that only 15% of households sort their waste in any way. This is concerning because, although households produce an average of 1.8 kilogrammes of biowaste per day, 97% of them lack the equipment or systems necessary to turn this waste into useful products like compost or biogas.

The fact that over 65% of these dumpsites contain hazardous waste, which poses major threats to the environment and human health, is a concerning issue that she feels the public should be aware of. From a legislative and policy standpoint, the representative of the permanent secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Justice, Barr. Ibrahim Sabo, emphasised that waste management is not only an environmental concern but also a legal and regulatory matter.

He referenced the Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Authority Law of 2021, noting that the law mandates the authority to regulate waste disposal and ensure compliance with established environmental standards.

“However, the success of any policy or legal framework depends largely on inclusive participation, collaboration, and collective ownership,” Barr Sabo said.

He praised the diversity of the stakeholders whose views and contributions he said will help shape a policy that is practical, enforceable, and responsive to the realities on the ground.

Similarly, Mr. Christopher Abari, who spoke on behalf of the director general of the Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Authority (NASWAMSA), said that his establishment as a body tasked with supervising waste management and sanitation in the state acknowledges the pressing need for a coordinated, inclusive, and modern approach to waste management.

Mr. Abari emphasised that the issues, spanning from increasing waste production to inadequate disposal systems, require collaboration, innovative thinking, and sustained commitment from all stakeholders involved.

He noted that the dialogue presents an opportunity to integrate sustainable solutions such as improved waste segregation, recycling, and biowaste management into our systems.

Barr. Ede, the representative of the permanent secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Nasarawa State, accepted that the Nasarawa State Government, through NASWAMSA, has remained diligent in its efforts to uphold environmental standards and promote proper waste management practices across the state.

He advocated as a matter of urgency that there should be a transition from the traditional “collect and dump” approach to a more modern, efficient, and sustainable waste management system supported by appropriate infrastructure and innovative solutions.

Mr. Envoh Okolo, State Coordinator, Nasarawa State Network on Environment and Climate Justice, agrees with the fact that the development of the waste management policy is timely, noting that in some areas, dumpsites have become reference points for giving directions, highlighting the scale of the problem.

He pointed out that there are existing gaps within the waste management sector, with the gaps ranging from inadequate infrastructure and limited public awareness to inefficiencies in collection and disposal systems that continue to hinder effective waste management across the state.

According to him, to address these challenges would require not only sound policy frameworks but also coordinated action, innovation, and sustained stakeholder collaboration.

Participants at the event included government officials, representatives from civil society organisations, private sector actors, academics, journalists, and community members. They expressed optimism that the current policy development process will result in practical solutions, enhanced institutional coordination, and a cleaner, healthier environment for the residents of Nasarawa State.

By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja

QEDNG Summit 2026 set for August 11 in Lagos

Michael Simire
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QEDNG Summit 2026 set for August 11 in Lagos

The QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit will hold its second edition on August 11, 2026, in Lagos, bringing together leaders across the creative, business and policy spaces.

Convened by Mighty Media Plus, publishers of online newspaper QEDNG, the summit brings together conversations at the intersection of creativity, enterprise and influence, with a focus on strengthening Nigeria’s creative economy.

GOCOP
Mighty Media Plus CEO, Olumide Iyanda

Reflecting on the inaugural edition, the Mighty Media Plus CEO, Olumide Iyanda, said the summit drew participation from respected figures across sectors, including group managing director of SO&U Udeme Ufot as chairman and founder of The Africa Soft Power Group Dr Nkiru Balonwu as keynote speaker, alongside panellists such as filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) founder Mike Dada and executive director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) Dr Shaibu Husseini who contributed to discussions on the direction of the creative economy.

“The first edition showed that there is a strong interest in serious engagement around the creative economy. We had contributions from experienced voices who helped set the tone for the kind of platform we are building,” Iyanda said.

Building on the success of its inaugural edition, the summit continues to expand its scope, attracting a diverse mix of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers and emerging talents.

“This summit is designed as a meeting point for ideas, influence and execution. It is not just about conversations, but about outcomes that strengthen the creative economy,” Iyanda added.

He noted that the timing of the summit is significant as the country’s creative sector continues to evolve.

“Nigeria’s creative sector has grown in visibility, but the structures that support it are still evolving. The QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit is part of the effort to bring clarity, direction and serious engagement to that growth,” he said.

The 2026 edition will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions and curated sessions addressing themes around innovation, growth, funding and the global positioning of Nigerian creative talent.

According to Iyanda, the long-term goal is to build a platform that remains relevant across generations.

“Our goal is to build a platform that remains useful over time, one that documents progress, connects stakeholders and contributes meaningfully to policy and practice,” he said.

Further details on speakers, partners and the full programme will be announced in the coming weeks.

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