The Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN), Kano State Secretariat, on Thursday, 30 July 2026, received a delegation of lecturers and Environmental Management students from Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (UMYU), Katsina, led by Prof. Lawal Abdurrashid Funtua.
The educational visit was organised to provide the students with firsthand exposure to the practical realities of waste picking, material recovery, recycling, environmental management, and circular economy operations. It provided a valuable opportunity for the students to connect academic knowledge with the day-to-day activities and challenges within the waste management and recycling sector.
The delegation was warmly received by Mr. Franklin, Assistant Secretary General of WAPAN, who represented the National President. He gave an overview of the association’s history, mandate, organisational structure, membership, and activities across Nigeria, highlighting WAPAN’s role in advancing the interests and recognition of informal waste workers.
Serving as the technical lead for the engagement, Khalifa Sani, Director of Circular Economy Systems and Climate Finance, delivered an insightful presentation on the critical role of informal waste pickers in material recovery and recycling value chains. His presentation also addressed the formalisation of the informal waste sector, environmental policy implementation, climate action, and the contribution of waste pickers to sustainable development and the circular economy.
Dr. Hadiza Shettima, Director of Environmental Sustainability, further enriched the programme with practical perspectives on waste pollution, environmental restoration, climate action, and community-based sustainability. Her session emphasised the importance of integrating environmental protection with inclusive and sustainable community development.
The visit also featured a practical exhibition led by Mallam Yusuf Sharada, WAPAN Kano State Coordinator. He introduced the students to various forms and categories of plastic waste, demonstrating how different materials can be identified, sorted, recovered, and assessed for their recycling potential. The practical session gave the students a clearer understanding of the processes involved in transforming discarded materials into valuable resources.
The programme concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which the students and lecturers engaged WAPAN representatives on issues relating to waste management, recycling, environmental policy, informal waste work, and opportunities within the circular economy.
In his remarks, Prof. Lawal Abdurrashid Funtua expressed appreciation to WAPAN for the warm reception and the wealth of practical knowledge shared with the delegation. He also indicated the University’s interest in future collaboration with WAPAN in areas including waste management training, academic and field research, environmental entrepreneurship, and capacity development.
The engagement represents an important bridge between academic learning and the practical experiences of informal waste workers. It also creates opportunities for stronger institutional collaboration between UMYU and WAPAN in advancing sustainable waste management, environmental education, circular economy development, and the empowerment of waste-picking communities.
Through engagements of this nature, students gain a deeper appreciation of the environmental and economic value of waste recovery while recognising the essential contribution of informal waste workers to cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable communities.
Great WAPAN! Up Pickers!