President Muhammadu Buhari’s COP26 commitment to net-zero emissions (NZE) by 2060 has stirred up various responses and reactions. Largely, pro-status-quo opinions ridiculed the commitment, and others thought it was outrightly misguided, emphasising the overall perception that “Nigeria – and Africa by extension – deserves all the freedom to contribute to global emissions first before committing to reducing it” In other words, use fossil fuels to industrialise like the perceived to be “developed world.” This piece will not only highlight why this belief is fundamentally flawed but also present the arguments that suggest PMB’s commitment could be the best thing to happen to Nigeria in recent times. 

The feeling that Nigeria’s commitment to NZE is ill-advised stems from the assessment of the current socio-economic challenges the country is facing. In short, it is a poverty argument – Nigeria is too poor to begin the process of transitioning since it has not set up a paradigm for transition. Further arguments present the feeling that if Nigeria commits to the energy transition, it may lose out on international financing facilities that it needs to industrialise along the fossil fuel lines. More people believe that Nigeria does not have the luxury to prioritise climate-friendly development in its current circumstances.  Other arguments continue to iterate that Nigeria’s dependence on crude oil makes it economically vulnerable if it should embark on energy transition processes. A more interesting one is Nigeria lacks the technical ability to industrialise along with the global plans to curb the effects of climate change. 

Nigeria first discovered Crude Oil in 1956 in Bayelsa State. Before independence, Nigeria was economically driven by non-oil revenues and continued to develop crude oil exploration activities with its pre-oil economy. Since the exports of crude oil began, Nigeria faced a turbulent economic growth that has been described as a curse to the Nation. Nigeria had gotten intoxicated by the dark elixir and neglected key sectors of its economy that had been hitherto largely promising. Nigeria is known globally for repugnant insecurity and notorious poverty. These identities have been cultivated in tandem with the oil national reliance. The evidence is too obvious and overwhelming to cite. With its return to promising democracy in 1999, Nigeria had not been able to effectively industrialise. The dependence on crude oil evolved Nigeria into a “beast consumer” that can neither feed itself nor refine the very crude it depends on. Even when Nigeria was earning its highest possible income from crude oil, it failed to deliver its most elementary of infrastructural needs. 

According to OPEC World Oil Outlook 2021, crude oil demands are likely to plummet over the next two decades. As the world continues to transition to cleaner energies with exponential growth in innovative technologies, the demand for crude will continue to diminish. With Europe and India gradually looking elsewhere, Nigeria’s stable revenue source will keep aging to its death regardless of local influence. Unless Nigeria finds alternative markets for its crude in Africa, it must begin to imagine an economy away from oil. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has set in a new era in global economics and international business. The crude oil markets reemphasized their dependency on human activities and global environmental change. This became a revelation to economies that were hitherto unprepared to re-evaluate their economic dependencies. The relief felt by the world with the recent relative stabilisation of the oil market has been misrepresented by many parties as a return to normalcy. The reality is the pandemic has only been a prelude to more serious global challenges that should shake countries like Nigeria and other emerging economies into serious re-strategizing and planning. The fact is the next global pressure may be more serious in its effect than the pandemic which is mostly survived by victims. In the words of Bill Gates, “The world needs to rise to avert a climate crisis.”

There is still a major misconception in the net-zero emissions debate. As such, it is paramount to clarify this. In simple terms, net-zero emission means taking actions that remove the same amount of harmful emission that is injected into the micro-climates by a system. In the context of developing countries, it means implementing the directives set up by environmental regulatory bodies through environmental protection recommendations. In Nigeria, it does not mean we have to stop crude oil production. It means we should prevent carbon-positive flaring, enforce oil spill mitigation, and responsible remediation to balance the adverse effects of crude-oil pollution.

Nigeria is blessed with climate change deniers in every quarter. Those at the heart of oil production are particularly more motivated to discover the non-existent loopholes in the climate sciences. As such, there remains a collective reluctance to enforce environmental regulations and implement climate-friendly projects. A prime example is in the afforestation efforts that have been recycled in national budgets with near-zero implementation. Any attempt to undermine Nigeria’s NZE targets only enables the climate deniers to delay climate action. 

According to Gadzama and Ayuba (2016), “the agents of desertification in Nigeria are climate change (especially changes in rainfall patterns), increased variability of droughts, inappropriate use of technologies in agriculture and land management, and land demand by the large population of the country. Northern Nigeria has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world at about 3.5% (UNEP, 1993), which is driven by widespread land degradation, increasing agricultural intensity, over-grazing of livestock, and demand for fuel wood (Musa and Shaib, 2010). Assessments of desertification, its causes, and impacts have been found by several researchers for specific locations in Northern Nigeria (e.g., Ogunwale, 2015; Adakayi and Ishaya, 2016; Sulaiman et al., 2017; Oloukoi et al., 2018). However, little or no effort has been directed at its monitoring across the entire northern region bordering the Sahel”. 

According to recent figures, floods make up the most frequent disaster type (UNISDR, 2018). Between 1998 and 2017, floods formed 43.4% of all recorded events and affected 45% of all individuals affected by weather-related disasters. Flood events are also projected to increase everywhere under all considered Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) warming scenarios (Alfieri et al., 2017). In terms of social outcome, the literature suggests that following extreme weather events, the type of conflicts that are more likely to occur include communal violence and land-use disputes rather than large-scale civil conflicts (Buhaug & Seter, 2014; Eck, 2014; Fjelde & von Uexkull, 2012). 

According to Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), 30 out of the 36 states were affected by the floods. The floods were termed the worst in Nigeria’s history in 40 years and affected an estimated total of seven million people (Nkwunonwo  2016). The estimated damages and losses caused by the floods were worth 2.6 trillion naira (Cirella and Iyalomhe 2018). 

Based on assumptions of access to technology, Nigeria’s NZE target may appear ambitious. This is due to an established understanding of the cycle of technological development and adoption. While the scope of NZE is not limited to the development of energy systems alone, several assessments have focused on the impacts of NZE on Nigeria’s race to energy sufficiency. In fact, the NZE encompasses strategic measures that include mitigation and adaptation across entire ecosystems. 

A lot of what was previously seen as ambitious goals has been found achievable under certain conditions. An example is the transition to remote work under the global threat of COVID-19. The previously predicted collapse of global systems was proven incorrect, and more corporate bodies have adapted to a new paradigm. Drawing from that, whether technologies would be accessible or affordable for energy transition is a function of collective will and competent strategy. The global consensus on climate action is the main driver of those conditions. The mass conviction of trendsetters in the developed world that feeds emerging economies with technology and behavioural incentives cannot be neglected.

 Photo Credit: Abubakar Sadiq Mustapha, Agaie, Local Government, Niger state.

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)—three simple words that should represent universal human rights and the foundation of well-being. Yet for millions, these essentials remain elusive, unravelling into a web of interconnected crises. The absence of clean water sets off a domino effect, collapsing sanitation, deteriorating hygiene, and fueling cycles of malnutrition, disease, and poverty. This cascading crisis, rooted in water scarcity, highlights the fragile balance between humans and their environment, reminding us that the cost of inaction is far too great.

The Domino Effect of Water Scarcity

The lack of water is more than a physical absence; it is a profound assault on health and dignity. Without clean water, sanitation falters, creating an environment ripe for the spread of diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Hygiene becomes a privilege, not a standard, forcing vulnerable communities into situations where disease and infection become inevitable. Imagine children with distended bellies, their frail bodies fighting malnutrition compounded by waterborne illnesses. Picture displaced families collecting water from gutters, unknowingly ingesting pathogens that compromise their immune systems further.

These aren’t distant realities but lived experiences for millions. I recall visiting rural communities as a child and seeing firsthand the struggles of those living without access to clean water. The long treks to boreholes, the laborious pumping of taps, and the rationing of water for basic needs—all underscore the inequities of water access. In some areas, taps run only every two days, and households are restricted to a fixed number of buckets. Women and children, often the ones tasked with water collection, bear the brunt of this burden, sacrificing time and energy that could be spent on education or economic pursuits.

The Invisible Crisis: Women and Hygiene

The intersection of water scarcity and gender inequity is glaring. For young girls, menstruation becomes a monthly ordeal without access to adequate water and sanitary products. Forced to use rags or other unhygienic methods, these girls are exposed to infections and are often shamed into missing school. This isn’t merely an inconvenience; it’s a denial of their dignity and potential.

The problem doesn’t stop there. In many water-scarce regions, firewood is the primary source of cooking fuel. Women spend hours inhaling smoke while preparing meals, leading to long-term respiratory illnesses. These are silent health crises, hidden behind cultural norms and systemic neglect.

Climate Change: The Catalyst for Crisis

Water scarcity is not an isolated issue; it’s a glaring symptom of climate change and environmental degradation. Deforestation, a key driver of climate change, disrupts water cycles by destroying vital watersheds. As forests vanish, groundwater recharge slows, surface runoff increases and ecosystems suffer. The results are devastating: drying rivers, shrinking water tables, and the loss of biodiversity.

The decline in rainfall, coupled with reduced condensation, signals a planet under immense pressure. Wildfires, fueled by parched landscapes, wreak havoc on ecosystems, releasing carbon emissions that exacerbate global warming. The cascading impacts of water depletion ripple across the natural world, affecting everything from crop yields to the availability of fruits and other essential resources.

The Modern Paradox

Ironically, as water becomes scarcer, modern lifestyles exacerbate the problem. The shift towards processed foods and packaged goods has reduced the consumption of water-rich, natural diets. These choices, driven by convenience, have led to rising rates of chronic diseases, including cancers. The overuse of plastics in packaging further contributes to pollution, compounding the ecological strain.

In urban areas, unsanitary street food conditions highlight the stark contrast between modern convenience and neglected hygiene. Vendors reuse dark, over-heated oils in environments surrounded by stagnant water, creating perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other disease vectors. This convergence of poor sanitation, hygiene, and water scarcity paints a troubling picture of global health challenges.

Change in Collective Action

Addressing the WASH crisis requires collective action and systemic change. It begins with recognizing that clean water is not a privilege but a fundamental human right, essential for health, dignity, and sustainability. Governments must prioritize investment in water infrastructure and embrace sustainable management practices to safeguard dwindling resources. Communities need education and support to adopt responsible consumption habits.

Equally important is empowering women and girls with access to hygiene products and private facilities. This small but vital change can restore their dignity, improve health outcomes, and open doors to education and opportunity.

The Time To Respond Is Now

The cascading crisis of water scarcity, poor sanitation, and hygiene is not an abstract problem; it is an urgent global emergency that demands immediate action. As forests disappear, water sources dry up, and vulnerable communities suffer, the cost of inaction grows heavier by the day.

We cannot afford to treat this as someone else’s problem. From rural villages relying on boreholes to urban streets plagued by poor hygiene, the WASH crisis touches us all. Addressing it means not only safeguarding our present but ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

Let us remember: water is life, and its scarcity is a shared burden. The time to act is not tomorrow—it’s today. Together, we can turn the tide and secure a world where water, sanitation, and hygiene are not luxuries but universal realities.

Written by  Shamsiyah Abdulmumini

 The jour ney of a thousand miles begins with a single step. For me, that step was a leap  of faith, a bold decision to venture beyond the confines of my veterinary medicine  studies. A blend of audacity and a touch of delusion propelled me to join the Youth  Leadership Development Program 2024. 

Initially, self-doubt was my constant companion. Could I balance the demands of my  academic pursuits with the rigors of this program? Would I be able to make a  meaningful contribution? These questions echoed in my mind, threatening to stifle my  aspirations. But as I delved deeper into the program, I discovered a newfound sense of  purpose. The self-leadership course empowered me to confront my fears and embrace  my potential. It was a transformative experience that shattered my limiting beliefs and  instilled in me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone. 

When it came to choosing a focus area, I was torn between sustainability and  advocacy. Both held immense appeal, but ultimately, I gravitated towards sustainability.  I believed that by promoting sustainable practices, I could address the root causes of  many societal problems. I envisioned a future where communities are empowered to  make informed choices, fostering a harmonious relationship between humans and the  environment. 

My journey as a community changemaker has been a rollercoaster of emotions, filled  with both challenges and triumphs. There were moments of self-doubt when I  questioned my ability to make a significant impact. However, I persevered, fueled by a  deep-seated passion for creating a better world. I learned the importance of  collaboration, the power of perseverance, and the joy of making a difference. 

Through countless hours of volunteering, I witnessed firsthand the impact of  community-driven initiatives. From organizing clean-up drives to raising awareness  about environmental issues, every action, no matter how small, contributed to a larger  movement. I realized that true change is not about grand gestures but about  consistent, collective effort.

One of the most significant lessons I learned was the power of storytelling. By sharing  my experiences and inspiring others, I hoped to ignite a spark within them,  encouraging them to become agents of change. I believe that everyone has the  potential to make a difference, regardless of their background or circumstances. 

As I reflect on my journey, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities I have been  afforded. I am grateful for the mentors who have guided me, the friends who have  supported me, and the community that has embraced me. I am also grateful for the  challenges I have faced, as they have shaped me into the person I am today. 

Moving forward, I am committed to continuing my work as a community changemaker. I  believe that by working together, we can create a more sustainable, equitable, and just  world. I am excited to see what the future holds and to inspire others to join me on this  journey. 

I am a girl who is change and has the audacity intertwined with delusion insisting to be  heard.

Written by  Shamsiyah Abdulmumini

 In a small village in rural Nigeria, 13-year-old Salama wakes up before dawn to start her day. She lives with her family in a small hut with no toilet. Her parents, like many others, cannot afford to build one. Salama’s daily routine begins with a walk to the nearby bush, where she and her siblings relieve themselves. The stench of human waste and the risk of diseases linger, but it’s a reality they’ve grown accustomed to.

As she walks to school, Salama worries about using the school’s dilapidated toilet. The doors don’t lock, and the smell is overpowering. She often holds her bladder until she returns home, risking infections. Salama’s story is not unique; millions of Nigerian children face similar sanitation challenges. Imagine waking up every morning to the stench of decay, the decomposed smell of human waste lingering in the air. For millions of Nigerians, this is the reality they are faced with. Behind the vibrant culture and resilience of Africa’s largest nation lies a festering sanitation crisis, claiming lives and undermining human dignity. Nigeria’s sanitation emergency is a ticking time bomb, hidden in plain sight that needs to be detonated as soon as possible.

Sanitation is a fundamental aspect of human health and dignity and it continues to remain a pressing concern in Nigeria and many third world countries. The country’s sanitation crisis affects many people, compromising their well-being, security, economic productivity, and environmental sustainability.

This blog post examines the current state of sanitation in Nigeria, highlighting challenges and potential solutions to the sanitation issues in Nigeria.

According to UNICEF, approximately 60 million Nigerians lack access to basic drinking water, and 80 million people do not have improved sanitation facilities. This has disturbing consequences, particularly for children under five, with over 70,000 deaths annually due to contaminated water and poor sanitation leading to diseases like diarrhea, typhoid fever and dysentery. Research from the World Bank shows that 39% of households in rural areas lack access to at least basic water supply, while only half of this population have access to improved sanitation.

Women and girls are not left out because they often bear the burden of water collection, typically often walking long distances, which has negative effects on their well-being, school attendance, and increased risk of harassment and gender-based violence.

According to UNICEF, women and girls spend an estimated 152 million hours annually collecting water. This time investment restricts their participation in education, economic activities, and healthcare thereby continuing cycles of poverty for them and by extension, their families. Additionally, the physical strain of water collection can lead to health issues, such as back and joint pain, and increased risk of accidents. Inadequate sanitation facilities worsen the challenges faced by rural Nigerians. Open defecation contaminates water sources, spreading diseases and deteriorating the lives of many.

To curb these sanitation challenges in Nigeria, key actions are required. It is important to carry out urgent and collective actions. Governments at all levels are enjoined to prioritize sanitation infrastructure developments and foster implementation of policies. Government can also invest in sanitation solutions and services for the public in order to curb open defecation. The private sector and civil society organizations can support this cause by implementing community led initiatives which can improve the knowledge and adoption of improved sanitation practices amongst grassroot and rural community members.

With these actions, slowly and surely, issues of sanitation will be subdued in Nigeria.

 

References

• World Bank 
• Unicef
• Unicef

 

 Introduction  

Accessibility to safe water and sanitation over the years has improved and will continue to improve globally due to the increased programmes, policies, and initiatives embarked on by relevant organisations and stakeholders. A report published by the United Nations Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking Water (GLAAS) report published in the last two years shows that approximately 28.57% or about 2.3 billion people globally had access to improved drinking between 1990-2012. A report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that global support for efficient water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices rose by 30% between 2010 and 2012 which translates to financial investment from $8.3 Billion to $10.9 Billion.  

However, there is still much work to be done. The process of providing efficient water supply and effective sanitation systems in developing countries, especially in rural areas has been very slow and holding back progress (World Health Organization Report). More interventions need to be put in place to reduce discrimination and increase the level of impact on a great scale as approximately 2.5 billion people representing about 31% of the global population still lack access to improved sanitation facilities. Additionally, 1 billion people, or around 12.4% of the global population, continue to engage in open defecation, even near water supply channels. Furthermore, 750 million people, which is about 9.3% of the global population, do not have access to a safe and clean water supply. 

Challenges of Water and Sanitation in Nigeria Rural Communities  

There exists a consensus of divergent opinions that clean water and good sanitation are rudimentary human needs and rights. But up till today, many communities, especially rural communities in developing nations are finding such basic amenities luxurious (Kamara, et al; 2017). 

This situation has even been compounded due to the increase in sanitation precautions for the prevention and spread of the coronavirus pandemic. This challenge has continued to prove that the 17 goals of Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved in the year 2030 which include the availability and sustainability of water and sanitation are unrealistic, ambiguous, or too ambitious considering that many nations within Sub-Saharan Africa still live and are confronted with this challenge on a very large scale (Ndikumana and Pickbourn, 2017; Roche et al., 2017).

Availability of potable and safe water supply and effective sanitation system has a great impact on the quality of life of the people, health, and economic productivity. Meeting these needs is the major issue facing the present rural communities of Nigeria. This is because over 70% of the families residing within rural communities do not have access to efficient water supply and effective sanitation systems and materials. According to data from the World Bank, close to 100 million people reside in Nigeria’s rural communities and basic amenities such as clean water and sanitation continue to pose a challenge, especially to their general wellbeing.  

These challenges have led to the spread of diseases such as diarrhea (the second leading cause of death among children under the age of 5), water-borne diseases that are susceptible to massive outbreaks such as cholera, hepatitis, typhoid, and diseases caused by poor sanitation and hygiene practices such as schistosomiasis, blinding trachoma, intestinal worms amongst others. Most of these diseases are majorly found within rural communities.

These diseases spread in these communities due to the dependence on open sources of water for their survival. These sources include rivers, unprotected wells, ponds, seasonal streams, etc. These sources of water are prone to the above-listed water-borne diseases. Also, the over-reliance on open defecation even in their water sources and channels as well as lack of basic sanitation knowledge such as handwashing after defecating, and lack of basic sanitation materials such as soaps, clean water, toiletries, etc have increased the rate of contracting diseases associated with ineffective sanitation systems.

Opportunity  

Due to the gap seen in the WASH Sector and the level of acceptability of solutions by the rural dwellers, there exist opportunities for private sectors or investors to utilize and address this issue through impact investment, creating means of generating funds to further replicate these projects as over 75% of countries have insufficient funding to implement their WASH plans and strategies (GLASS Report, 2022). These opportunities include:

• Financial Assistance for Capital Improvements: Investors can provide finance that will support WASH programs, policies, and interventions to governments with a low-interest rate. This way, the investment will be recouped and environmental and social impact will be felt by the rural populace.
• Renewal and Replacement of Aging Sanitation Infrastructures: Private investors or social institutions could agree to replace or renew sanitation infrastructures within rural communities and get a return on investment from state or local governments.
• WASH Infrastructure Management: Social establishments could begin the management of WASH infrastructures within local communities to save them from being deplored for a mild fee.  

Recommendation to Government 

• Creating professionally managed and commercially oriented State Water Boards. ∙ Improving the financial and operational viability of the State Water Board.
• Strengthening policy, institutional and regulatory frameworks for improved WASH services (including establishing accountability mechanisms). 
• Building national and state WASH advocacy, coordination, and communications for reform. 

Written by Joseph Miracle

The current state of waste management in Nigeria is a major concern due to the high rate of waste generation and poor management practices, coupled with the high rate of population increase. Nigeria produces an estimated 32 million tons of solid waste per year, with only about 20-30 percent of it being collected and managed correctly. The remainder of the waste is either dumped in unauthorised places or burned, contributing to pollution and health risks. 

Nigeria is the largest producer of solid waste in Africa, with approximately 70 percent of it being plastic waste that ends up in landfills, water bodies, or sewers. According to the World Bank, Nigeria ranks as the tenth-largest producer of unmanaged plastic waste globally, accounting for 2.7 percent of the total. Moreover, the World Bank projects that Nigeria will become the largest generator of unmanaged plastic waste in Africa by 2050. 

The consequences of improper waste management are dire, ranging from air and water pollution to soil contamination and the depletion of natural resources. 

The limited number of recycling facilities further compounds the problem. While recycling is recognised as a crucial component of sustainable waste management, many states and cities lack sufficient infrastructure to effectively sort, process, and recycle waste. As a result, a significant portion of recyclable materials ends up in landfills or incinerators, exacerbating environmental degradation and wasting valuable resources that could be reused. 

Moreover, the solid waste crisis in these cities is fueled by insufficient public awareness campaigns. Many residents are unaware of the detrimental effects of improper waste disposal on their health and the environment. The absence of comprehensive education and outreach programs limits public participation in waste management efforts. As a result, individuals may not prioritise waste reduction, separation, and recycling, leading to increased waste generation and further strain on the already overburdened waste management system. 

The consequences of neglecting the solid waste crisis are severe and wide-ranging. Air pollution is a significant concern, as uncontrolled waste burning releases harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, compromising air quality and contributing to respiratory illnesses. Water pollution is another critical issue, as leachate from poorly managed landfills can contaminate groundwater sources, posing risks to both human health and ecosystems. Soil contamination can occur when hazardous waste is not properly disposed of, leading to long-term ecological damage and potential health hazards for agricultural activities. 

In the face of the mounting solid waste problem in these cities, it is crucial to explore innovative approaches that go beyond traditional solutions. One such approach is the implementation of a market-based mechanism, similar to

emission trading, which has the potential to revolutionise waste management practices and drive a sustainable transformation in these cities. 

The concept of a market-based mechanism for waste management is inspired by the success of “Cap and Trade” emission trading schemes, such as the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (EU-ETS), which have been effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By applying a similar framework to solid waste, state or municipal governments can create a marketplace for waste credits, introducing economic incentives to encourage waste reduction, recycling, and responsible disposal practices. 

The first step in implementing this mechanism would involve the establishment of a regulatory body responsible for determining the maximum allowable waste production levels for businesses, communities, and households in these cities, known as capping. These limits or caps would be translated into waste credits, which would then be allocated to entities based on their waste production history and other relevant factors. This allocation process ensures fairness and provides a baseline for entities to work towards reducing their waste. 

Crucially, these waste credits would be tradable among entities and communities within these cities. This means that entities or communities that successfully reduce their waste below their allocated credits can sell their surplus credits to other entities struggling to meet their waste targets. This creates a market where the economic value of waste reduction is recognised and rewarded. Entities or communities that exceed their allocated credits would face financial penalties, further incentivising them to adopt more sustainable waste management practices. 

To ensure the integrity of the waste credit market, a robust monitoring and verification system would be established. This system would include periodic waste audits, supported by advanced technologies and thorough inspections, to track waste generation, disposal practices, and recycling efforts. Compliance with waste reduction targets and transparent reporting would be essential to maintain trust and credibility within the market. 

Implementing a market-based mechanism for waste management offers several significant benefits. Firstly, it incentivises waste reduction by assigning a financial value to neighbourhoods that actively work to reduce their waste. Businesses and households would be motivated to adopt sustainable waste management practices to gain valuable waste credits, leading to a substantial reduction in overall waste generation across the state. 

Furthermore, this approach encourages innovation and investment in waste management technologies and infrastructure. The prospect of trading waste credits creates a market opportunity for businesses and entrepreneurs to develop and implement new recycling methods, waste-to-energy solutions, and other sustainable practices. This surge in innovation attracts investment, fosters economic growth, and generates job opportunities in the waste management sector. 

A market-based mechanism also amplifies public participation and awareness in waste management. Individuals and communities would actively seek ways to reduce waste to gain waste credits, fostering a culture of waste reduction and resource conservation. This collective effort from citizens contributes to a cleaner environment and enhances the overall quality of life in the cities.

Market-based waste management system 

Importantly, the implementation of a market-based approach would significantly improve environmental and public health outcomes. By effectively managing waste through waste reduction, recycling, and responsible disposal practices, the state can mitigate air and water pollution, reduce soil contamination, and minimise the depletion of natural resources. This, in turn, promotes a healthier environment for residents and safeguards public health. 

In conclusion, a market-based mechanism holds great potential in tackling the solid waste crisis in Nigeria’s urban centres. By creating a marketplace for waste credits, state governments can incentivise waste reduction, encourage innovation, foster public participation, and improve environmental and public health outcomes. As the relevant authorities consider this novel approach, it has the opportunity to become a trailblazer in effective waste management, setting an example for other regions to follow. Through this transformation, states can forge a path towards a cleaner, more sustainable future. 

Finally, while market-based solutions offer innovative ways to address solid waste challenges, they are not without limitations, especially when it comes to practical implementation. Hence, effective implementation requires careful consideration of the local context, equity, regulatory frameworks, and the specific waste management context of the areas where they are implemented.