The Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as significant achievements in environmental sustainability, waste management and circular economy initiatives over the past three years.
The association said the administration had demonstrated commitment to environmental protection through policies and programmes aimed at job creation, climate resilience and sustainable development.
Dr Olugbenga Adebola, National President of AWAMN, made the assessment in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
Adebola said AWAMN, an umbrella body representing more than 2,000 waste management firms and practitioners nationwide, considered the president’s environmental record worthy of recognition.
He recalled that Tinubu’s environmental reforms began during his tenure as governor of Lagos State, where he introduced the Private Sector Participation (PSP) model for waste collection.
According to him, the model transformed waste management in Lagos and later became a reference point for several states and African countries.
Adebola noted that the association had previously honoured Tinubu for his contributions to environmental management and job creation.
He said one of the administration’s major achievements was the formulation and validation of Nigeria’s first Cleantech Innovation Policy.
According to him, the policy is expected to accelerate green industrialisation and create more than 500,000 jobs across key sectors.
He also highlighted the Sustainable Energy Access Project, which targets all 774 local government areas and is projected to generate nearly one million jobs.
Adebola said the administration had promoted circular economy principles through agro-waste conversion projects, cassava value-chain development and industrial-scale research commercialisation.
He added that plans for a Green and Blue Methanol Industrial Complex would strengthen Nigeria’s position in Africa’s clean energy transition.
The AWAMN president commended efforts by the Federal Ministry of Environment to advance national waste management and plastic waste policies.
He said full implementation of the policies could create more than five million direct and indirect jobs.
Adebola also cited the implementation of the Climate Change Act and initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
He noted that the administration had intensified efforts to promote clean cooking energy through expanded access to liquefied petroleum gas.
According to him, programmes encouraging cleaner household energy sources are expected to improve environmental and public health outcomes.
He further praised the Greening the Sahel Initiative, which seeks to combat desertification through large-scale tree planting across northern states.
Adebola said reforms in the oil and gas sector had contributed to reductions in gas flaring and promoted cleaner production practices.
He also lauded Nigeria’s adoption of sustainability reporting standards and increased participation in global climate engagements.
According to him, Tinubu has consistently used international platforms to advocate climate action and sustainable energy development.
He listed Nigeria’s participation in major climate and energy summits as evidence of the administration’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
The AWAMN president further highlighted progress in sanitation programmes, including efforts to end open defecation by 2030.
He also referenced the Energy Transition Plan, carbon market reforms and ongoing work toward establishing a climate investment fund.
Adebola said the administration’s green financing initiatives would provide sustainable funding for environmental and waste management projects.
He described the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas initiative as a major intervention aimed at reducing transportation costs and emissions.
According to him, waste collection operators are expected to benefit from the transition to cleaner fuel alternatives.
He said climate-smart agricultural programmes were also contributing to food security while reducing environmental impacts.
Adebola noted that waste management remained a concurrent responsibility under Nigeria’s constitution.
He said state governments were expected to domesticate and implement federal environmental policies within their jurisdictions.
According to him, the Federal Government can only encourage implementation through policy support and improved fiscal allocations.
Adebola expressed confidence that the administration’s environmental agenda would continue to yield positive results.
He said AWAMN remained optimistic that sustained reforms would strengthen economic growth, create jobs and improve environmental outcomes across the country.
“President Tinubu has shown commitment to environmental sustainability and circular economy development.
“We believe the remaining years of the administration will further advance Nigeria’s environmental and economic transformation,” he said.
