The Federal Government is intensifying efforts to reduce methane emissions from dumpsites and promote sustainable waste management as part of measures to tackle climate change and support Nigeria’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, disclosed this at a stakeholder engagement workshop on the Multi-Solving Action for Methane Reduction in Nigeria (MAMRN) Project, held in Abuja.
The workshop was organised by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) in partnership with the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Climate Change Matters and Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADeV) Nigeria.
Represented by the Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health at the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs Omotunde Adeola, Lawal described methane as a highly potent greenhouse gas generated from dumpsites and other waste management activities.
Government promotes waste-to-wealth approach
The minister said the government was advancing its “Waste-to-Wealth” agenda, which encourages Nigerians to adopt responsible waste management practices while converting waste into useful economic resources.
He noted that improving the way waste is generated, collected, sorted, recycled and disposed of could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating economic opportunities across the waste management value chain.
Lawal also linked poor waste disposal to flooding, urging residents to stop dumping waste indiscriminately, particularly in drainage channels.
He called on Nigerians to take greater responsibility for the waste they generate, warning that blocked drains can worsen flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.
MAMRN to support national methane action plan
The MAMRN project is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s efforts to reduce methane emissions from the waste sector and support the development of a National Action Plan for Methane Reduction in Waste.
Director-General of the NCCC, Mrs Omotenioye Majekodunmi, represented by the Director of Energy, Transportation and Infrastructure, Mr Michael Ivenso, said the project would provide a framework for coordinated methane mitigation efforts in Nigeria’s waste sector.
She said the initiative would focus on strengthening policies, building stakeholder capacity and promoting sustainable waste management practices across the country.
According to Majekodunmi, reducing methane emissions is critical to Nigeria’s climate commitments under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement, particularly as open dumping and poor waste management remain major sources of methane emissions.
She added that methane reduction could deliver benefits beyond climate action, including cleaner communities, improved public health, greater resource efficiency, green jobs and an improved quality of life.
“Effective waste management would strengthen Nigeria’s circular economy by promoting resource recovery, reducing environmental pollution and creating opportunities for sustainable economic development and employment,” she said.
NCCC pledges technical support
Majekodunmi assured stakeholders that the NCCC would provide technical guidance and coordination support for the development and implementation of the national methane reduction action plan.
She said the council would work with the Federal Ministry of Environment, SRADeV, development partners and other stakeholders to ensure that outcomes from the workshop translated into measurable and practical actions.
According to her, although methane emissions present a significant challenge, stronger collaboration among government agencies, development organisations, communities and other stakeholders could turn waste from an environmental burden into an economic resource.
She said effective methane mitigation would also contribute to Nigeria’s transition towards a more sustainable and climate-resilient economy.
SRADeV calls for stronger waste management
The Executive Director of SRADeV, Dr Leslie Adogame, called for improved solid waste management as an immediate step towards reducing methane emissions and addressing the effects of climate change.
Adogame noted that solid waste remains a significant source of methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming.
He stressed the need for waste generators to take responsibility for properly managing the waste they produce.
“Waste management has to be properly carried out to reduce methane emissions in the environment,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of developing a clear action plan to establish practical measures for improving waste management and reducing methane emissions.
Adogame said SRADeV remained committed to the global target of cutting methane emissions by 30 per cent and commended Nigeria for establishing a policy framework for waste management.
He urged government agencies, businesses, communities and other stakeholders to sustain efforts to improve waste collection, recycling, resource recovery and disposal.
Methane reduction could create green business opportunities
Beyond its environmental benefits, the push to reduce methane emissions could create new opportunities within Nigeria’s growing circular economy.
Improved waste segregation, recycling, composting and resource recovery could reduce the volume of organic waste sent to dumpsites while creating jobs and new businesses across the waste management sector.
For small and medium-sized enterprises, opportunities could emerge in areas such as waste collection, recycling, composting, waste-to-energy solutions, environmental services and the production of goods from recovered materials.
Stakeholders at the workshop therefore emphasised the need to move beyond policy development towards practical implementation, stronger enforcement and increased public participation.
The Federal Government’s renewed focus on methane reduction reflects an approach that treats waste management not only as an environmental concern but also as an economic, public health and climate priority.
With stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and communities, the MAMRN project could help deliver practical solutions to reduce methane emissions while supporting cleaner communities, green jobs and sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.Nigeria Steps Up Efforts to Cut Methane Emissions from Dumpsites
The Federal Government is intensifying efforts to reduce methane emissions from dumpsites and promote sustainable waste management as part of measures to tackle climate change and support Nigeria’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, disclosed this at a stakeholder engagement workshop on the Multi-Solving Action for Methane Reduction in Nigeria (MAMRN) Project, held in Abuja.
The workshop was organised by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) in partnership with the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Climate Change Matters and Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADeV) Nigeria.
Represented by the Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health at the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs Omotunde Adeola, Lawal described methane as a highly potent greenhouse gas generated from dumpsites and other waste management activities.
Government promotes waste-to-wealth approach
The minister said the government was advancing its “Waste-to-Wealth” agenda, which encourages Nigerians to adopt responsible waste management practices while converting waste into useful economic resources.
He noted that improving the way waste is generated, collected, sorted, recycled and disposed of could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating economic opportunities across the waste management value chain.
Lawal also linked poor waste disposal to flooding, urging residents to stop dumping waste indiscriminately, particularly in drainage channels.
He called on Nigerians to take greater responsibility for the waste they generate, warning that blocked drains can worsen flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.
MAMRN to support national methane action plan
The MAMRN project is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s efforts to reduce methane emissions from the waste sector and support the development of a National Action Plan for Methane Reduction in Waste.
Director-General of the NCCC, Mrs Omotenioye Majekodunmi, represented by the Director of Energy, Transportation and Infrastructure, Mr Michael Ivenso, said the project would provide a framework for coordinated methane mitigation efforts in Nigeria’s waste sector.
She said the initiative would focus on strengthening policies, building stakeholder capacity and promoting sustainable waste management practices across the country.
According to Majekodunmi, reducing methane emissions is critical to Nigeria’s climate commitments under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement, particularly as open dumping and poor waste management remain major sources of methane emissions.
She added that methane reduction could deliver benefits beyond climate action, including cleaner communities, improved public health, greater resource efficiency, green jobs and an improved quality of life.
“Effective waste management would strengthen Nigeria’s circular economy by promoting resource recovery, reducing environmental pollution and creating opportunities for sustainable economic development and employment,” she said.
NCCC pledges technical support
Majekodunmi assured stakeholders that the NCCC would provide technical guidance and coordination support for the development and implementation of the national methane reduction action plan.
She said the council would work with the Federal Ministry of Environment, SRADeV, development partners and other stakeholders to ensure that outcomes from the workshop translated into measurable and practical actions.
According to her, although methane emissions present a significant challenge, stronger collaboration among government agencies, development organisations, communities and other stakeholders could turn waste from an environmental burden into an economic resource.
She said effective methane mitigation would also contribute to Nigeria’s transition towards a more sustainable and climate-resilient economy.
SRADeV calls for stronger waste management
The Executive Director of SRADeV, Dr Leslie Adogame, called for improved solid waste management as an immediate step towards reducing methane emissions and addressing the effects of climate change.
Adogame noted that solid waste remains a significant source of methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming.
He stressed the need for waste generators to take responsibility for properly managing the waste they produce.
“Waste management has to be properly carried out to reduce methane emissions in the environment,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of developing a clear action plan to establish practical measures for improving waste management and reducing methane emissions.
Adogame said SRADeV remained committed to the global target of cutting methane emissions by 30 per cent and commended Nigeria for establishing a policy framework for waste management.
He urged government agencies, businesses, communities and other stakeholders to sustain efforts to improve waste collection, recycling, resource recovery and disposal.
Methane reduction could create green business opportunities
Beyond its environmental benefits, the push to reduce methane emissions could create new opportunities within Nigeria’s growing circular economy.
Improved waste segregation, recycling, composting and resource recovery could reduce the volume of organic waste sent to dumpsites while creating jobs and new businesses across the waste management sector.
For small and medium-sized enterprises, opportunities could emerge in areas such as waste collection, recycling, composting, waste-to-energy solutions, environmental services and the production of goods from recovered materials.
Stakeholders at the workshop therefore emphasised the need to move beyond policy development towards practical implementation, stronger enforcement and increased public participation.
The Federal Government’s renewed focus on methane reduction reflects an approach that treats waste management not only as an environmental concern but also as an economic, public health and climate priority.
With stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and communities, the MAMRN project could help deliver practical solutions to reduce methane emissions while supporting cleaner communities, green jobs and sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.
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