Don Urges Government to Prioritize Waste Management for Public Health and Economic Prosperity

A university don, Professor O.J. Mordi, has strongly urged all tiers of government in Nigeria to prioritize effective waste management, highlighting its immense potential for safeguarding public health and fostering wealth creation. Professor Mordi, a Chemistry scholar, made this call on Thursday, July 10, 2025, during a recent public discourse on environmental sustainability.

Professor Mordi lamented the current ineffective state of waste management across the country, noting that it prevents Nigeria from harnessing the significant health and economic benefits embedded in what he termed “fruitful waste management.”

On the health front, he emphasized that proper waste management is crucial for combating environmental pollution, which directly impacts public well-being. “If we take it to health, the issue of environmental pollution will also be taken care of,” he stated, drawing a direct link between unmanaged waste and the prevalence of various ailments, including bacterial and fungal infections. He even highlighted research on certain organic wastes, like bush mango (Ogbono), which contain medicinal ingredients with antibacterial properties that could be further explored if waste is properly processed.

Beyond health, Professor Mordi underscored the vast opportunities for wealth creation. He asserted that “there is no waste that is a waste” and urged for a paradigm shift where waste is viewed as a valuable resource. He pointed out that the current lack of waste separation at source is a major impediment to harnessing these economic benefits, which include recycling, waste-to-energy initiatives, and the recovery of valuable materials for various industries.

“Certainly waste management in the country is not effective, for instance, some of my students have done internships in some places here in Ogun State and one will find out that these wastes are not being separated, the waste management practices are not effective and fruitful,” he explained.

Nigeria is estimated to generate about 32 million tons of solid waste annually, with only a fraction properly collected and managed. The academic’s call reinforces existing concerns about inadequate infrastructure, low public awareness, weak regulatory frameworks, and insufficient funding that plague the waste management sector.

Professor Mordi stressed that governments must invest more in the sector to achieve effective and fruitful waste management. His appeal adds to a growing chorus of experts advocating for a holistic and sustainable approach to waste management, recognizing its critical role not just in environmental protection but also as a key driver for economic diversification and job creation in Nigeria.