Appraisal of Regulatory Frameworks on Environmental Protection Policies and Waste Management in Kwara State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32890/mmj2025.29.6Keywords:
Policies, regulatory frameworks, waste managementAbstract
Waste management has become a pressing global issue, requiring the enactment and enforcement of comprehensive regulatory frameworks to promote sustainability and protect the environment. Despite the available legislations, inadequate resources and inefficient monitoring impede their proper execution, allowing noncompliance and illicit trash disposal to continue. Illegal waste sites are popping up all over the city of Kwara in Nigeria. Improper garbage disposal appears to suggest a breakdown in the state's regulatory system for environmental protection and waste management. This paper has examined the regulatory framework of environmental protection policies and waste management in Kwara state. Both primary and secondary data were used. The population of the study was 280 and the sample size was 172, which was determined through a specific formula. A total number of 172 questionnaires were distributed to the selected respondents and from these 154 responses were retrieved. Findings from the study showed that the majority of the respondents disagreed that the regulatory frameworks did not prioritise the reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste materials. These respondents were of the view that there were clear guidelines and procedures for the proper handling and disposal of hazardous waste. The study also showed that the available regulatory frameworks have encouraged public participation and awareness of waste management practices in the state. Consequently, this paper has recommended that policymakers collaborate closely with communities to design strategies that incorporate local infrastructure, resources, and behaviours to reduce waste and promote recycling. There should also be frequent monitoring to ensure compliance. The rules and policies must be amended to ensure stakeholder engagement in waste management services.
Downloads
References
Ahmed. Y. A. (2008) Waste management in Ilorin Metropolis: Lessons for Nigerian Cities. FUTY Journal of the Environment, School of Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Yola – Nigeria, 3(1), 49-58.
Ajayi, I. O., Ajumobi, O. O., & Falade, C. O. (2020). Malaria and COVID-19: Commonalities, intersections and implications for sustaining malaria control. Pan African Medical Journal, 37(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.supp.2020.37.1.25738
Akpoghome, T. U. (2014). Managing domestic waste in Nigeria: Legal framework, problems, and solutions. International Journal of Environment, Ecology, 8–27.
Amin, A., Abdullahi, A., & Abdulrasheed, H. B. (2024). Strategies of environmental protection policies on sustainable waste management in Kwara and Oyo States, Nigeria. Journal of Administrative Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 21(1), 249-274.
Amin, A., Raji, S., & Salawu, O. I. (2023). Public policy on waste management in Kwara State, Nigeria: Implications on environmental security. Ilorin Journal of Administration and Development, University of Ilorin, 7(1), 12–24.
Anifowose, Y. B., Omole, K. E., & Akingbade, O. (2011). Waste disposal site selection using remote sensing and GIS: A study of Akure and its environs, Southwest Nigeria. Proceedings of the Environmental Management Conference, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, 2–9.
Awopetu, M. S., Coker, A. O., Awopetu, R. G., Awopetu, S. O., Booth, C. A., Fullen, M. A., Hammond, F. N., & Tannahill, K. (2013). Reduction, reuse, and recycling of solid waste in the Makurdi metropolitan area of Nigeria: Public opinions and perceptions. International Journal of Education and Research, 1(11), 1–12.
Badri, M., Muhamad, R., Shekh, R., & Azman, N. H. N. (2021). Assessing financial performance of green technology companies in Malaysia using Tobin's Q. Journal of Environmental Management and Sustainable Development, 10(2), 25–38.
Brundtland Report. (1987). Sustainable development and goal. World Commission on Environment and Development. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Brundtland-Report
Che-Adam, N., Lode, N. A., & Abd-Mutalib, H. (2019). The influence of board of directors’ characteristics on the environmental disclosure among Malaysian companies. Malaysian Management Journal, 23, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.32890/mmj.23.2019.9682
Chik, A. R., & Jusoh, J. (2003). Innovative technologies for industrial wastes. Malaysian Management Journal, 7(2), 47–58. https://e-journal.uum.edu.my/index.php/mmj/article/view/9765
Coglianese, C., & Nash, J. (2001). Regulating from the inside: Can environmental management systems achieve policy goals? https://scholarship.law.upenn.edu/faculty_scholarship/2630
Cointreau-Levine, S. (1994). Private sector participation in municipal solid waste services in developing countries. https://elibrary.worldbank.org/doi/abs/10.1596/0-8213-2825-5 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN), 1999 (as amended). (1999). Abuja: Government Printer.
Couturier, A., & Thaimai, K. (2013). Eating the fruit of the poisonous tree? Ecological modernization and sustainable consumption in the EU. Institute for International Political Economy Berlin Working Paper, 20.
David, O., Olukanni, D., & Christiana, O. (2019). Public-private sector involvement in providing efficient solid waste management services in Nigeria. Recycling, 4(2), 19. https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling4020019
Debrah, J. K., Vidal, D. G., & Dinis, M. A. (2021). Raising awareness on solid waste management through formal education for sustainability: A developing countries evidence review. Recycling, 6(1), 1–6.
Dobson, A. (2003). Citizenship and the environment. Oxford University Press.
Doelle, M., & Lahey, W. (2014). A new regulatory framework for low-impact/high-value aquaculture in Nova Scotia. https://novascotia.ca/fish/documents/Aquaculture_Regulatory_Framework_ Final_04Dec14.pdf
Egunjobi, L. (2008). Waste: A good source of wealth. Paper presented at a 2-day workshop to mark the 2008 World Environmental Day, organised by the Oyo State House Committee on Environmental Services, held at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, June 5–6.
Environmental Impact Assessment Act. (1992). Environmental impact assessment Decree No. 86 of 1992 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. https://ead.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ EIA_Act.pdf
European Environment Agency. (2021a). A year in brief. https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/EEA-2021-the-year-in-brief
European Environment Agency. (2021b). Waste policies and targets. https://www.eea.europa.eu/ themes/waste/waste-policies-and-targets
Fagbohun, M. O. (2012). Mournful remedies, endless conflicts and inconsistencies in Nigeria's quest for environmental governance: Rethinking the legal possibilities for sustainability. Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.
Ferronato, N., & Torretta, V. (2019). Waste mismanagement in developing countries: A review of global issues. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(6), 1060. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16061060
Harmful Wastes Act. (2009). National policy on the environment; National Environmental Regulations. https://standards.lawnigeria.com/2020/08/21/national-environmental-sanitation-and-wastes-co ntrol-regulations-2009/
Ijaiya, H. (2013). The legal framework for solid waste disposal and management in Kwara State, Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy, 1(1), 96–109.
Ikelegbe, O., & Onwuemele, A. (2012). Planning the Nigerian environment: Laws and problems of implementation. Contemporary Journal of Social Sciences, 1(2), 151–161.
Klaus, C. (1997). A theory of production with waste and recycling. University of Mannheim and University of Toronto.
Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607–610.
Leach, M., Scoones, I., & Stirling, A. (2010). Dynamic sustainability: Technology, environment, social justice. Earthscan.
Lele, S. M. (1991). Sustainable development: A critical review. World Development, 19(6), 607–621.
Lishan, X., Bo, F., Tong, L., Liang, M., & Ouwen, Z. (2023). Promoting and maintaining public participation in waste separation policies: A comparative study in Shanghai, China. Resources, Environment and Sustainability, 12, 100112.
Luke, A. A., & Henry, A. (2018). Handbook of research on environmental policies for emergency management and public safety. University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria Management, 22(6), 849–856.
Mabogunje, A. (1996). Environmental challenges of Sub-Saharan Africa. Malthouse Press.
Malavasi, M., & Menegaki, A. N. (2017). Motivations and barriers to implementing eco-innovation: A cross-national analysis of wastewater treatment plants. Journal of Cleaner Production, 155, 39–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.08.034
Meadows, D. (2008). Thinking in systems: A primer. Chelsea Green Publishing.
Murphy, J. (2004). The nature of ecological sustainability. Earthscan. National Environmental (Sanitation and Waste Control) Regulations. (2011). Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette, 98(60). Abuja: Government Printer.
NESREA Act (2007). National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Establishment). https://lawsofnigeria.placng.org/laws/nesrea.pdf
Nnamdi, I. (2014). Safe disposal of municipal wastes in Nigeria: Perspectives on a rights-based approach. Afe Babalola University Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy, 3(1), 72-86.
Nyekwere, E. H., & Ole, N. C. (2022). Assessing the legal framework for the realization of environmental democracy in Nigeria. Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journal of International Law and Jurisprudence, 13(2), 60–64.
Ojekunle, O. Z., Rasaki, A., Taiwo, A. M., Adegoke, K. A., Balogun, M. A., Ojekunle, O. O., Anumah, A. O., Ibrahim, A. O., & Adeyemi, A. (2020). Health risk assessment of heavy metals in drinking water leaching through improperly managed dumpsite waste in Kurata, Ijoko, Sango area of Ogun State, Nigeria. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 8, 100792. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2020.100792
Olukanni, D. O., & Akinyinka, O. M. (2012). Environment, health, and wealth: Towards an analysis of municipal solid waste management in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Clean Technology & Engineering Management ICCEM (pp. 51–71). Covenant University.
Olukanni, D. O., Akinyinka, O. M., Ede, A. N., Akinwumi, I. I., & Ajanaku, K. O. (2014). Appraisal of municipal waste management, its effect and resource potential in a semi-urban city: A case study. Journal of South Africa Business and Resources, 1–13.
Onyenekenwa, E. C., & Agbazue, V. C. (2011). Protection of Nigeria’s environment: A critical policy review. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 4, 490–497. https://doi.org/10.3923/jest.2011.490.497
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2000). Environmental performance reviews: Nigeria. OECD Publishing.
Shehu, K., Bashir, A., & Mubi, A. M. (2018). Implication of ineffective policy implementation for community participation on waste management in Bauchi State, Nigeria. FUTY Journal of the Environment, 12(1). https://www.ajol.info/index.php/fje/article/view/182376
Shiva, V. (1993). Ecofeminism. Zed Books.
Smith, J. K. (2019). Deterrence and environmental regulation. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Environmental Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199389414.013.564
UNEP. (2016). United Nations Environment Programme: Annual Report 2015. https://www.unep.org/ resources/annual-report/united-nations-environment-programme-annual-report-2015
United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda
Wahab, B., & Ola, A. B. (2016). The activities of informal waste contractors in municipal solid waste management in Ibadan. Journal of Environmental Design and Management, 8(1), 80–97.
Wilson, D. C., & Tormin, A. C. (1998). Planning guide for strategic municipal solid waste management in major cities in low-income countries. The World Bank/SDC.
World Bank. (2019a). Solid waste management. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/urban development/brief/solid-waste-management
World Bank. (2019b). What a waste 2.0: A global snapshot of solid waste management to 2050. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/30317
Yusuf, O. R., Adewoye, S. O., & Sawyer, H. O. (2022). Residents’ perception on central storage of solid wastes in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Zikargae, H. M., Woldearegay, A. G., & Skjerdal, T. (2022). Assessing the roles of stakeholders in community projects on environmental security and livelihood of impoverished rural society: A nongovernmental organization implementation strategy in focus. Heliyon, 8(10), e10987. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10987
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Malaysian Management Journal
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
Research impact
Harvested 2026-09-06Counts differ between services because each indexes a different body of literature. None of them is the whole picture.
