On 11th June 2026, the Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) participated in the Stakeholder Engagement on Advancing Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES).
The WAPAN delegation was led by Khalifa Sani and Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmad Gumel and included ten waste pickers, ensuring that the voices and experiences of frontline actors within the waste management value chain were represented in discussions shaping the future of sustainable waste management in the FCT.
The engagement brought together key stakeholders from government institutions, development organizations, environmental professionals, and private sector actors to explore strategies for improving municipal solid waste management and advancing circular economy solutions across Abuja and the wider Federal Capital Territory.
During the discussions, WAPAN shared practical insights drawn from its experience in waste management operations, policy implementation, value chain development, and systems-change interventions. The association highlighted successful approaches that have contributed to increasing the recovery, recycling, and circularity of PET plastics and other recyclable materials within the FCT.
A key message delivered by WAPAN was the urgent need to formally recognize and integrate waste pickers into waste management systems and policy frameworks. As frontline environmental stewards, waste pickers play a vital role in waste valorization, resource recovery, recycling, and value creation. Their contributions are essential to achieving sustainable waste management outcomes and strengthening Nigeria’s transition toward a circular economy.
The association emphasized that inclusive policies and programmes that recognize waste pickers as legitimate stakeholders can enhance collection efficiency, improve recycling rates, create green jobs, and support environmental sustainability while improving livelihoods for thousands of workers in the informal sector.
The event concluded with a practical PET upcycling training session, providing participants with hands-on knowledge and skills for transforming plastic waste into value-added products. The training further demonstrated how innovation and entrepreneurship can create economic opportunities while addressing environmental challenges.
WAPAN remains committed to advancing collaborative approaches to sustainable waste management and promoting the inclusion of waste pickers in decision-making processes at all levels. As the transition to a circular economy accelerates, ensuring that waste pickers remain at the center of both the conversation and the solutions will be critical to achieving lasting environmental, social, and economic impact.
Sustainable waste management can only succeed through partnership, innovation, and inclusion—and waste pickers are indispensable partners in building a cleaner, more resilient future.