Nigeria Has $100bn Waste Economy — WAPAN

The Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) has said it is designed to showcase the critical role of waste pickers in harnessing the immense economic and social benefits in the over $100bn waste economy in Nigeria.

President WAPAN, Com. Salisu Ali Yarima, who stated this at a stakeholders and strategy meeting of waste business managers in Abuja yesterday said WAPAN is determined to reverse the negative public perception about waste collection in Nigeria and aimed to rebrand the collection of waste nationwide.

He said the WAPAN, which would hold its 1st National Waste Pickers’ Conference in early 2024, would sanitise, empower and uplift waste pickers and waste related businesses across Nigeria.

He said the aim was to create a sustainable, inclusive and supportive ecosystem for the hardworking informal workers, who are mostly youths, in the waste management value chain.

“Since its inception, WAPAN has been proactively engaging with relevant stakeholders, government agencies, and international organisations that share its vision for the sector through mails and dispatch letters.”

He said WAPAN is calling on regulatory agencies to dialogue with its officials for a more democratic approach to urban clean up rather than resorting to sudden demolition.