General
Using the Waste to Wealth Model to Address Nigeria’s Plastic Waste Problem
By Adedapo Adesanya
In the inroads of Ajike Falaye Street in Mosan-Okunola LCDA Alimosho, a young man was using a spade to lift wet sand out of a clogged drainage system on a Wednesday night in April, a hasty move to avoid hefty punishment meted out by the Lagos State government for poor sanitation.
Thursdays are designated by the Lagos state for general sanitation, and commercial activities are put on hold till 10 am. The young man, Isaiah, told me, “These plastics are always too much,” and he is not alone in this. According to a report, Nigeria ranks ninth among countries with the highest contributions to plastic pollution, with close to 90 per cent of them not recycled.
While many see this issue as a business opportunity, others see it not just through this limited scope.
According to Babatunde Sanni, the project coordinator at Waste to Wealth (Watowe), it is applying a double model to solve the plastic problem while utilising other value-added services like healthcare to bring about the desired goal of recycling among the people of the communities it operates.
“The reason why we decided to tackle plastic waste is because of sustainability. We looked at rural communities in the first stages. We do a lot of community work to ensure that they not only tackle this issue head-on but how can we offer them value? So we look at how we can kill two birds with one stone, hence, why we created waste to wealth or Watowe,” said Sanni.
“It was instrumental in getting their trust, and one thing about people in communities that we deal with is the hard task it takes to win their trust. From our onset, we just had to do a lot to win their trust because getting their trust was necessary before we can bring about desired behaviour from those we target.” For instance, after proper monitoring and evaluation, the team, alongside volunteers and partners including Glovo, and Inspired Youth Network, among others, have cleaned up communities and beaches in Lagos.
The Mechanisms of Watowe
According to Mr Sanni, Watowe was started in 2017 after he identified the many issues prevalent in the Nigerian environment. This came after in-depth research that saw him visit several communities in Lagos, Abuja, and other states. He noted that the rural communities were the first entry point before moving on to more sub-national locations.
“The rural community is the first stage when it comes to solving issues like this. We looked at what other value of wealth we can give them, so we noted that while the wealth approach will not involve money, we can have a replica of that.”
This, he said, involved the use of healthcare subsidies that are insured by waste. The company partners with several healthcare companies that allow residents of these communities access to several insurance packages. Speaking of how this is done, Sanni noted that. “It is a give-and-take approach. We have to offer them something to earn their trust. After this, we then issue the cards. These insurance cards range from life, health, and gadgets, and we will bring more on board in later years.”
Gaps
The low level of recycling, which is less than 12 per cent, poses a huge threat to plastic pollution management in Nigeria. But it has reached a better position in the last few years and despite the many promises present in the field, Sanni noted that, like every company that takes the initiative approach to solve issues that relate to the environment, funding is a major hurdle. Watowe is a self-funded enterprise, and accounting for the high cost it takes remains a problem that he hopes will be resolved in the long run.
“The major problem we face is the cost of logistics. The value never matches the logistics. Since we became registered in 2020, we have had to do all the heavy lifting ourselves, and we hope that with the steps we are taking, we will be able to meet our target.”
He further revealed that there are some strides that he couldn’t disclose due to the legal restraints on them but noted that by 2023, Watowe would have increased its capacity to around 15 tonnes per day.
“Currently, we have recycled about 200 tonnes of plastic waste, but we are moving to bring these communities into the fold to improve this. We try not to act like those companies that set themselves unreal targets.”
Closing the Gaps
Watowe has committed to continue its advocacy, project building, and community outreach while banking on its business model but advocated for more laws. The Lagos State government last year planned to launch new legislation to curb the menace of waste in the state and support businesses in the circular economy, but that hasn’t seen the light of day. The drawback in law remains a large hurdle with the slowdown in the move to ban polythene products. Also, the Nigerian government, despite making no law to introduce taxation on Single Use Plastics tax. This raised concerns from manufacturers that it does not appear to have a basis in law, as it is not provided for under the Customs, Excise, Tariff, etc. (Consolidation) Act (CETA), unlike beverages and tobacco.
Sanni noted that the government needed to be more deliberate in taxing plastic products, suggesting that companies should charge consumers to bring their bags from home or pay for them, adding that this will change their behaviours.
“If this is done, people will come with paper bags. I know that we cannot completely ban plastics in one fell swoop, but we can make considerable progress with it in Nigeria, and with the work we have seen in the last few years, I say we are getting there.”
Community Impact and Progress
Watowe has been able to reach a considerable number of communities in Lagos. According to information shared, the company has seen its impact in Odumola in Epe, Orile, Okun Aja, and Sangotedo.
In the Odumola environs of Epe, Watowe has cleaned up entire streets and applied collection points where residents can dump their single-use plastic containers. This has been replicated in the Orile area in Agege.
In June 2023, during the celebration of World Environment Day, in partnership with Action Aid Nigeria and Inspired Youth Network, there was a clean-up at Coney Island Lagos, one of the beach resorts in Lagos. This was followed by an awareness event on the threat of plastic pollution to the environment, where the collective organisers encouraged collective action.
The most significant intervention was done at Noon (pronounced noo nee) Street in the Oworonshoki area of the state. Collection points for plastic waste were applied, and residents could bring their packs of waste and get rewarded.
This is, however, yet to catch much attention, but Sanni said that progress depends on a lot of things. One of these is trust. He revealed that once trust has been established, there needs to be more that needs to be done.
The Lagos State government has played its part, he said, but the public-private partnerships need to extend to sustainable projects as well. He said the Lagos State administration over the last 15 years had made sizeable impacts which Watowe has been part of. These include seminars and special lectures that saw industry players come on board but admitted that policies could remain a drawback where necessary.
“No matter your contingency, as long as the government doesn’t do certain things, you are back to square one. They have the larger role to play before we can do our bit,” he said.
Educating the Next Generation on Recycling
Watowe has also extended its reach beyond grassroots communities and into the vibrant Generation Alpha with the collaboration it has had with primary and secondary schools. Mr Sanni said the company was working with a number of schools, including Meadow Hall Schools in Lekki, where it is a constant feature in its recycling club. This club is tasked with debates, assignments, and projects around recycling, and this has brought about more results since it commenced Post-COVID. Another such beneficiary is Ilasan Nursery and Primary School, which, unlike Meadow Hall, doesn’t have a defined recycling club yet but partakes in activities from time to time. Watowe hopes that with its expected growth and reach, more schools will be able to tap into this.
Sanni noted that partnerships like these are welcome, and investors and funding will see more initiatives pop out. Already some initiatives like Wecyclers and United Cylcers are pushing ahead with their intervention, but for people like Isaiah, the impact is yet to reach them.
This story was produced in partnership with Nigeria Health Watch through the Solutions Journalism Network, a non-profit organisation dedicated to rigorous and compelling reporting about responses to social problems.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have apprehended the Director General of the phantom Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Mr Adeniyi Adeyemi.
His arrest happened a few hours after Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a warrant for his arrest.
The police had announced plans to arraign Mr Adeyemi before the court on Tuesday over allegations bordering on forgery, impersonation, and related offences.
The security agency, in a fresh charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, listed Mr Adeyemi, “Femi Surname Unknown,” and “Anu Surname Unknown” as the first to third defendants, respectively, over alleged forgery and impersonation.
The prosecution has lined up several witnesses, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside officials from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, police officers, civil servants, and individuals allegedly linked to the operations of the purported agency. It was reported that a hotel operator, a clergyman, and persons said to have worked with Mr Adeyemi at the alleged agency are also expected to testify.
Investigators alleged that Mr Adeyemi operated the purported agency from the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja before his arrest.
The police case follows a public debate over the existence of the alleged PFIPC after Mr Adeyemi challenged the Presidency’s denial that the body ever existed.
Mr Adeyemi accused Mr Gbajabiamila of making conflicting statements regarding both the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC).
During a recent press briefing, Mr Adeyemi called for an independent probe into the two bodies and alleged that Mr Gbajabiamila demanded financial payments linked to his purported appointment.
He claimed that N400 million was paid through intermediaries, with an additional N200 million allegedly requested—claims that have not been substantiated.
Mr Adeyemi also argued that references to both the PFIPC and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act, questioning the government’s position that the organisations never officially existed.
The planned prosecution comes as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) continues a broader investigation ordered by President Tinubu.
The Senate had earlier declined to immediately investigate the inclusion of the alleged PFIPC in the 2026 Appropriation Act, opting instead to await the outcome of the anti-graft agency’s probe.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has sealed two fuel stations in Ogun State engaging in under-dispensing of petroleum products and non-compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021.
Leading the enforcement team around the Akute-Ajuwon axis of the state, the Head of Distribution Systems Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, Mr Olufemi Adebowale, said the move became imperative in view of repeated breaches of regulatory requirements by the affected stations and the need to protect the rights of consumers from sharp practices.
According to him, the development is part of its ongoing efforts to enforce compliance with industry regulations, protect consumers from sharp practices, and ensure that petroleum marketers dispense the correct quantity of products across the state.
He explained that records available to the authority showed that the fuel stations have consistently violated regulatory compliance by under-dispensing petroleum products, illegally breaking official seals placed on the facility, and resuming operations without authorisation.
According to him, such actions amount to a violation of the Petroleum Industry Act 2023 and undermine efforts to protect consumers from exploitation.
“The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority is carrying out a lawful enforcement on this facility. Our records have consistently shown that this company has been violating regulatory compliance.”
“It is high time we made it clear that they cannot continue to under-dispense products, deliberately remove our seals, and believe that nothing will happen; that is why we are here to enforce the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2023 he said.
“When it comes to under-dispensing, they are cheating members of the public by not selling the correct quantity of fuel. Also, once a station is sealed, it has no authorisation to operate. But this station deliberately removed our seal and continued operations, which is against the law.”
Mr Adebowale disclosed that the authority has been monitoring the station’s activities since 2025, describing the violations as persistent despite several enforcement actions.
He revealed that the affected station had been sealed no fewer than six times within the period, but continued to remove the authority’s seals and ignore invitations extended by the regulator.
“From our records, this has been happening since last year. The station has also refused to honour our invitations. It has been sealed not less than six times, yet it keeps removing our seals and resuming operations.”
On the sanctions awaiting the operators, Adebowale said the authority had served the stations with enforcement notices, while the facilities would remain shut until all stipulated conditions are met.
He added that the NMDPRA management would also consider suspending the operating licence of the affected stations, while also sending a strong warning to any fuel station intending to go against the rules of PIA.
“That is against the rules. They do not have any right to operate until we authorise them to do so. This is a clear deviation from regulatory compliance. According to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), when this happens, we must carry out enforcement, and that is why we are here today.
Beyond conducting this exercise, we are also using this opportunity to address the public through the media. As long as operators are doing the right thing, they have nothing to fear. However, for those going against compliance levels—whether through under-dispensing or direct violation of our seal—all necessary enforcement, penalties, and sanctions will be strictly applied against such offenders.”
“A letter has been served, the station has been completely shut down, and they must meet all the conditions, including payment of the applicable penalties. We are also looking at suspending the operating licence, subject to management’s approval,” he said, warning that any further attempt to tamper with the seals or resume operations illegally would attract criminal prosecution.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says it has moved to reduce port gridlock by releasing trucks into Apapa and Tin Can ports in scheduled batches based on terminal demand, while enforcing strict rules against indiscriminate parking on port access roads.
The General Manager, Lagos Port Complex, Mr Debo Lawal, said the NPA management, led by Managing Director, Mr Abubakar Dantsoho, was committed to ending indiscriminate truck parking around the ports and aligning operations with global best practices.
He said the authority was working with Truck Transit Parks Limited (TTP) to regulate truck movement into terminals through a phased release system.
According to him, trucks will now be released in scheduled batches based on terminal demand, instead of allowing all approved trucks to enter the port corridor simultaneously.
“If a terminal requires 100 trucks, they will not all be released at once. They will come in batches to reduce pressure on the port access roads,” he said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.
Mr Lawal said a joint task force had been clearing Apapa and Tin Can port access roads since June 26, 2026, operating until about 8 pm daily to prevent indiscriminate parking.
He added that another clearance exercise would soon be conducted to sustain the gains and prevent a return to the persistent gridlock that previously characterised the port corridors.
The port manager, however, urged truck operators to support the initiative by exiting the port environment immediately after loading or offloading cargo.
He noted that some truck drivers still parked along access roads after completing port operations, despite repeated engagements by the authority.
“We engage truckers and their leadership every day, but enforcement will continue alongside sensitisation to ensure compliance,” he said.
On infrastructure, Mr Lawal said the federal government, through the NPA, had begun payment of the five per cent counterpart funding required for the 726 million dollar port rehabilitation project.
He disclosed that preliminary activities, including borehole drilling and site investigations, had been completed, while contractors were expected to mobilise to the site before the end of July.
According to him, a technical stakeholders’ meeting was held on July 7, while a broader stakeholders’ review was scheduled for July 13 to assess progress and address implementation gaps.
Mr Lawal said the rehabilitation project, alongside ongoing reforms, was aimed at reducing cargo clearance time, eliminating documentation bottlenecks and improving operational efficiency at the nation’s seaports.
He added that the National Single Window project was about 80 per cent completed, with a dedicated office already established near the port to improve inter-agency coordination.
According to him, the digital platform will integrate banks, the Nigeria Customs Service, shipping companies and other government agencies to improve efficiency, plug revenue leakages and enhance revenue collection.
Mr Lawal expressed confidence that improved digitisation, reduced human interference and more efficient truck management would strengthen Nigeria’s trade competitiveness and enhance operations at the Apapa and Tin Can ports.
Pingback: Using the Waste to Wealth Model to Address Nigeria’s Plastic Waste Problem – Solutions Journalism Africa Initiative