In a bid towards building a more sustainable future for the future, civil engineer and environmental engineering expert, Joy Onuh, has stressed the urgent need to prioritise waste reduction and recycling in Nigeria.
Speaking during a recent media engagement, she noted that the country generates over 32 million tonnes of solid waste annually, with the majority ending up in open drains or unregulated dumpsites, posing severe public health and environmental threats.
Noting that the prioritisation of waste reduction is essential, she explained that effective waste management goes beyond recycling and begins with significantly cutting down waste at the source. “The less waste we create, the less we have to manage downstream,” she said.
She drew comparisons with best practices in the United States, stressing the role of well-managed landfills in preventing groundwater contamination and controlling the spread of waterborne diseases.
In contrast she said, Nigeria’s continued reliance on open dumpsites exposes communities to harmful pollutants and disease-carrying vectors.
She further highlighted the untapped potential of biogas technology, which can convert organic waste into renewable energy, a solution that remains largely underutilised in Nigeria.
“Biogas production helps manage organic waste while providing a clean energy alternative,” she added.
She highlighted that, alongside biogas, composting presents another sustainable strategy for addressing Nigeria’s mounting waste challenges.
During a visit to the Chittenden Solid Waste Composting Facility in Vermont, United States, Onuh observed firsthand how solid waste can be effectively transformed into valuable products that generate employment and promote environmental stewardship.
“Composting is a key component of solid waste management, playing a vital role in reducing pressure on dumpsites and advancing sustainability,” she said.
Onuh noted that Nigeria could benefit immensely from composting initiatives due to its favourable climate and extensive agricultural activity, both of which create ideal conditions for organic waste conversion.
To transition from a reactive to a resilient waste management system, she outlined several critical actions, including investing in public education, enforcing waste regulations, promoting circular economy principles and building composting infrastructure.
She also emphasised the importance of supporting the informal recycling sector, establishing decentralised recycling hubs, implementing waste separation at source and engaging qualified professionals in the design, construction and monitoring of waste management systems.
She added that Implementing these solutions however, require a multi-faceted approach involving the government, private sector and active community participation.
She also pointed out the need to integrate waste management with climate policies, drawing attention to the link between poor waste practices with flooding and greenhouse gas emissions.
“The solutions already exist. Now, it’s time to turn ideas into action for a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future. It starts with each of us,” she said.
Onuh’s experience working with organisations such as UNICEF, World Bank and the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), has equipped her with valuable insights into effective waste management strategies.
She believes that Nigeria can learn from best practices in countries like the U.S, where waste reduction, reuse and recycling are prioritised. In line with her vision for a safer environment, she continues to explore innovative solutions.
Her current doctoral research focuses on the use of waste glass as a substitute for sand in civil engineering applications. This approach, she explains, not only reduces the environmental impact of glass waste but also promotes a circular economy through sustainable repurposing. A licensed professional engineer and recipient of several prestigious awards, including the GUND Institute for Environment and Barrett Fellowships at the University of Vermont, Burlington, USA; she is an expert in water resources and environmental engineering and holds membership in several professional organisations, both nationally and internationally.
