Ogun govt links flooding, gas emission to poor waste disposal

The Ogun State Government in Nigeria has connected flooding and greenhouse gas emissions to inadequate industrial waste disposal practices, warning that haphazard dumping and open burning are exacerbating climate and environmental risks. Nigeria produces over 35 million tonnes of solid waste annually, with Ogun State accounting for more than one million tonnes – a substantial amount generated by industries.

Governor Dapo Abiodun highlighted this issue during the 3rd Annual Workshop on Industrial Waste Management, organized by the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), in Abeokuta on Wednesday. Speaking on behalf of the governor, Environment Commissioner Dr Ola Oresanya emphasized that waste accumulating in drainage channels worsens flooding, while open burning and inefficient resource utilization contribute to environmental degradation.

Governor Abiodun framed the discussion under the theme, “Beyond Compliance: Embedding Circular Economy Principles and Innovation into Industrial Waste Management in Ogun State.” He underscored the significance of Ogun's status as Nigeria's leading industrial region, which carries a substantial environmental responsibility. He stressed that improper waste disposal, open burning, and inefficient resource use not only harm the environment but also generate greenhouse gases.

The government's stance is clear: industrial expansion should coincide with environmental stewardship, requiring adherence to laws that safeguard public health and communities. The State Policy on Climate Change, currently under review by stakeholders, aims to foster low-carbon industrial development and circular economy practices.

The government has initiated several interventions to address waste management challenges. These include the Blue Box Initiative, launched in 2025, which promotes household waste segregation; the expansion of recycling facilities across Ogun's three senatorial districts; and the Plastic for Cash Programme, targeting women, youth, and low-income households.

Ogun, which houses the largest concentration of industrial recycling facilities in Nigeria, recycles about 2,000 metric tonnes of plastic daily. The state is further formalizing e-waste recovery through collection hubs in Agbara, Sagamu, and Ota. Ogun has also been chosen by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) as a core state for the Off-Grid Renewable Energy Equipment waste circular economy project, reinforcing its role as Nigeria's recycling capital.

Oresanya called on industrial operators to store hazardous materials correctly, maintain effluent treatment facilities, and collaborate only with accredited waste management operators. The OGWAMA's Special Adviser and Managing Director, Farouk Adeniyi Akintunde, reported that the authority has refurbished obsolete compactors, acquired new ones, and settled overdue fees from private sector waste collectors to bolster industrial waste collection.

However, he cautioned that some industries still understate waste volumes, burn waste, and operate illegal dumpsites, contravening Section 27 of the OGWAMA Law 2020. Violators will face sanctions. Akintunde urged industries to adopt waste audits, source segregation, and industrial symbiosis, where waste from one facility serves as raw material for another, to mitigate pollution, reduce flooding, and generate income.