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
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to order a probe into the alleged diversion, disappearance and misapplication of more than N6.79 billion in public funds within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
The grave allegations are documented in the latest Annual Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation published on September 9, 2025.
SERAP said, “Anyone suspected to be responsible—including contractors, companies and public officials implicated in the report—should be promptly prosecuted, while all missing public funds, firearms and ammunition should be fully recovered, secured and properly accounted for.”
In the letter dated August 1, 2026, and signed by SERAP deputy director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The Auditor-General’s findings suggest a grave betrayal of the public trust and raise serious concerns about corruption and the management of public funds, police exhibits, firearms and ammunition.”
SERAP said: “The report also raises serious concerns over missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, failures to properly account for exhibits, and the insecure storage of firearms, creating significant risks to public safety and national security.”
According to the group, “The diversion of funds meant for policing, abandoned security projects, missing firearms and ammunition, and the misuse of police exhibits undermine the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force, weaken public confidence and may contribute to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.”
The letter, read in part: “The report documented numerous alleged financial irregularities within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, including payments for projects that were never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, and irregular procurement.”
“The report also documented unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims, payments for services allegedly not rendered, and other suspected diversion and misapplication of public funds amounting to over ₦6.79 billion.”
“The allegations also include missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, failures to properly account for recovered firearms and other exhibits, and the insecure storage of firearms, posing serious risks to public safety and national security.”
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal action to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”
Some of the others include: N499,875,500.00 for the construction of Police College Phase II, Bashar, Plateau State; N12,931,000.00 for the rehabilitation of Block B, Department of Logistics and Supply (Works) building, Garki; N111,635,864.64 for the construction of 12 one-bedroom transit camp units and rehabilitation of the administration block at the NPF Pre-retirement Skills Acquisition Centre, Kudana, Kaduna State; N4,011,627.89 inserted as taxes to inflate a contract; N1,938,299,452.00 for 14 ongoing projects that were abandoned; N5,050,000.00 in monetary exhibits released without proper authorisation; N112,026,424.00 for outstanding allowances paid to officers to cover 2020 liabilities; and N6,000,000.00 as annual payment to the Inspector General of Police’s Senior Special Assistant on Revenue and Tax Matters.
Others include N10,080,000.00 as cash advances for the provision of office equipment and accessories for the NPF Database Management Centre; N438,066,845.73 for the supply of bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets and procurement of a Styr Punch Vistar troop carrier; N18,000,000.00 for the training of women in cosmetology and provision of empowerment kits in Ondo Central Senatorial District, Ondo State; N258,989,999.75 for the procurement of 10 JAC patrol vehicles for NPF outpost stations in Kano State; N30,853,250.00 as security allowances for personnel attached to the Ministry of Police Affairs; N681,406,593.18 for the settlement of insurance claims through insurance brokers; N1,628,108,434.18 for outstanding insurance policy liabilities for 2020/2021; N57,484,515.30 for the procurement of video cameras, customised umbrellas, gift bags and customised towels for the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Office; N7,760,409.56 in withholding tax and value added tax that was not deducted from contracts awarded.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Onamusi Onadeko, has been sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment with an option of a fine of N50,000.
The former lawmaker, who represented Ogun East Federal Constituency in the National Assembly from 1999 to 2003, was sentenced by Justice Chizoba Oji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
He was found guilty on count 11 and convicted for making inconsistent statements but discharged and acquitted on counts 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Mr Onadeko’s journey to the court started in 2017, when he was charged by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for his alleged involvement in the award and execution of a N68.7 million contract.
The politician, according to a statement from the ICPC, was accused of using his private companies, Stanton Engineering Limited and Haines and Baines Limited, to execute several constituency projects while working as a Senior Legislative Aide to late Senator Buruji Kashamu, who represented Ogun East Senatorial District between 2015 and 2019.
The commission, had in the course of the eight years trial told the court that several contracts like buying of ambulance vehicles, supply of hospital equipment and drugs for Primary Health Centres, as well as construction of classrooms for some selected schools in six communities of Ogun East Senatorial District, were awarded to both Stanton Engineering Limited and Haines and Baines, where the convict doubles as a Managing Director and nominal Director, respectively, an action that violates Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
ICPC also accused Mr Onadeko of making an inconsistent statement that contradicted the one previously made to the Commissioner for Oaths, where he stated that he is a Director of Haines and Baines Limited in an affidavit dated June 30, 20216, but subsequently wrote another statement while under investigation on May 5, 2017, that he is not a shareholder or Director of Haines and Baines Limited.
This action violates Section 25(1)(b) of the ICPC Act and, upon conviction, is liable to a fine not exceeding N100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
However, Mr Onadeko, through his counsel, Mr Wahab Olatoyebi, argued in the course of the trial that his client was not a public officer as his appointment at that material time was on a short-term basis and non-pensionable, hence he, (Onadeko) did not fall within the category of those that could be tried under Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 which criminalize and punish abuse of office by public officers.
But this argument was rejected by Justice Oji, who stressed that based on the defendant’s letter of appointment as well as the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Federal Government of Nigeria v. Farouk Lawan, legislative aides are public officers and therefore could be prosecuted under the relevant provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the abduction of students and teachers from Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The governor formally inaugurated the commission at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, Governor Makinde said that although the successful rescue of the victims brought relief to the state, it did not provide complete closure.
He explained that the decision to set up an independent commission was not intended to undermine the efforts of security agencies but to ensure that every question surrounding the incident is thoroughly addressed and lessons are learnt to prevent a recurrence.
He charged members of the commission to conduct a thorough, impartial, and evidence-based investigation, assuring them of the state government’s full support. He also called on individuals and relevant institutions to cooperate fully with the panel.
Speaking on behalf of the commission, its chairman, Professor Mojeed Owoade, pledged that members would carry out the assignment with integrity, professionalism, and fairness. He added that the panel would seek an extension if necessary to complete its work.
Governor Makinde gave the commission four weeks to submit its report.
Earlier this month, the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State regained their freedom after 56 days in captivity.
According to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, eight of the kidnappers had been arrested, but the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 23 sentenced three suspects in the abduction to life imprisonment.
According to the court, the sentencing of Mr Abdulrazak Umar, known under the alias Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid; Mr Yunusa Musa, alias Yunusa Bin Musa; and Mr Shamsu Adamu Sani, alias Abu Itisar, will start from the date of their arrest.
Before their sentencing by Justice Salim Ibrahim, counsel for the defendants pleaded with the court to sentence them on liberal terms, adding that they were first-time offenders and had pleaded guilty.
Pingback: Using the Waste to Wealth Model to Address Nigeria’s Plastic Waste Problem – Solutions Journalism Africa Initiative