Almajiri and waste management in cities of

Northern Nigeria

By

Yusuf Abdullahi Rigasa (PhD)

Kaduna State Universityaayusuf@msn.com

End-of-Waste ResourcesNow common sight in Northern cities

The collectorsAlmajiri and the less privilege

The marketsmall plastic recycling plant

The ResourceEnd-of-waste plastics

OUTLINE • The throw away society – what is it?• Background – waste, facts n figures• Waste management services – what are the issues?• Almajiri – who are they?• Waste management in cities of Northern Nigeria• Current and future challenges of waste management in the North• The proposed strategy• Recommendations • Conclusions

Objectives

• To Propose a sustainable approach for integrating Almajiri into waste management schemes in the North

• To Highlight benefits and constraints (SWOT)

Throw-away society • Human society strongly influenced by consumerism

The facts - • Over-consumption – of everything• Excessive production of short-lived/ disposable stuff

What is waste?

The general definition:• anything discarded• anything out of use• anything out of need The technical definition:• Its actually a resource in the wrong place

What is waste management?

Making money from waste

Why Manage Waste?

• Money• Public health and safety• Sustainable development• Environmental protection• Resource conservation• Concern for future generations• Public participation

Who are the stakeholders?

• governments n its agencies (SEPA)• waste contractors• consultants• researchers • scavengers• recyclers• waste producers• users of waste products

EVERYBODY!!!

The North

The North – facts n figures

• Size:19 states and FCT• Poverty rate: 71% •The people: majority are Muslims• Environmental Assets: Human diversity n Heritage, Biodiversity, arable soil, rivers n lakes, beautiful landscapes etc• Environmental challenges: urbanization, waste management, pollution, loss of soil fertility n communal conflicts, public health n sanitation etc

Waste Management in Northern Nigeria – the facts

• Waste collected by contractors or the informal sector• Collection by contractors is free• Informal sector charge a fee• Waste dumps too far• Illegal waste dumps used for disposal• Resource recovery by informal sector• Resource recovery the only way to sustainability

Formal Vs Informal sector

• Formal waste management by SEPAs & waste contractors• Informal waste managers are mostly poor and unemployed with no formal education• No cost/resource recovery strategy in Formal WM services• Resource recovery by informal sector is market driven

THE ISSUES•EMMERGING CITIES – RAPID URBANIZATION

•INADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE (landfill, waste dump)

•LIMITED RESOURCES

•LACK OF EXPERIENCED MANPOWER

•LOW PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

•INADEQUATE (COPYCAT) WASTE MANAGEMENT POLICIES

Methods of waste disposal

• Burning – 38%• Barrow boys – 37%• Refuse contractors – 8%• Waste burial – 3%• others – 14%

(Hyuwa 2002)

• What is the picture now?

What is the way forward?

• We need data• From data we plan• Plan will identify stakeholders• Set goals and targets• Identify functional strategies and equipment• Stakeholder interaction/collaboration

The logic

• There is no single best method of waste management

• Strategy will be different for each community and set of circumstances

Almajiri – what we see

Almajiri – what they are

Almajiri – what they could become

Almajiri - Who are they? • Itinerant male informal students of Islamic education• School – Tsangaya• Teacher – Mallam• Pupil – Almajiri• Patronage – Poor Muslim communities• Numbers – 9.5 million• Social status – deprived underclass• Opportunities – low paid/petty jobs

Fact – they are Nigerians with rights

Al-Majiris in Nigeria (Source: Edet, 2011)

Almajiri - what they do1- they study

2 – they Beg

3- they work

3 – they can collaborate for business

4 - good business improve quality of life

The facts• The Almajiri system lacks funding• Lack of funds/ opportunities encourage

poverty• Poverty encourage begging and crime• Crime induce conflicts• Conflicts may lead to terror• Educational integration has failed• Economic integration may work• Waste management can source funds for

the system

What is the way forward?

The Proposed strategy: Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy (ISWMS)

Proposed Regulatory Framework

State's Chief Executive(Governors)

Solid Waste Management Agencies(General Managers)

State's Ministry of Environment(Commissioners)

Local Government Councils(Chairmen/councillors)

Waste Contractors(mallams)

Consultants(Directors/CEOs)

Local Waste Management Supervisor (mallams)

Household Waste Collection(al-majiri)

Street Sweepers(al-majiri)

Waste Dump Scavengers(al-majiri)

Bin Men(al-majiri)

Communication promotes enforcement

Communication DrivesExcellence

Waste management potentials of Almajiri in Northern cities

The Strengths• They are many• They are every where• They are disciplined• Functional hierarchy• Harmony with local terrain and people• Dependable social class

The weaknesses• Pride and prejudice• Voiceless• Conservative• Poverty

Opportunities• Trusted and reliable• competitive labor force• move up the waste hierarchy• create wealth from waste• Sustainability

Threats• Lack recognition and representation• Lack organization n formal education• Lack access to market n capital• Corruption• Bureaucracy• Limited opportunities• No functional framework for their engagement in

WMS

Recommendations • Green lifestyles• Green choices• Environmental education• Generate Wealth not Waste• Regard for All Life & Human Health• New Ideas & Different Thinking• Engineer for Simplicity & Practicality• Recycle Whenever Possible• Avoid the Mistakes of Others• Recognise and appreciate the role of Almajiri in waste management

CONCLUSIONS

• Almajiri can make a positive contribution in the management of MSW in the North

• Spread the message

LETS ACT TOGETHER

Remember

your waste, your money

Thank u 4 listening