By Atoyebi Nike
The Young Advocates for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future (YASIF), the Federal Ministry of Environment, and civil society groups have called for stronger public awareness campaigns to address Nigeria’s growing waste disposal challenge and its impact on the economy.
The call was made during a cleanup exercise in Karonmajiji, Abuja, on September 20, 2025, held to mark World Cleanup Day.
YASIF founder, Blessing Ewa, revealed that women trained in waste upcycling now earn up to ₦150,000 each from recycling pure water sachets. “What they once considered waste is now a source of livelihood,” she said.
Lawrence Okechukwu of the Federal Ministry of Environment stressed the need for reorientation, noting that “waste should be seen as an economic asset.” NESREA’s assistant director, Rita Nnaji, added that while penalties exist for offenders, education and community-led monitoring remain key.
Local women’s leader, Zainab Musa, thanked YASIF for empowering women with recycling skills and urged government support to expand such initiatives.
The event highlighted the potential of grassroots communities to turn environmental challenges into sustainable economic opportunities.
