NESREA Moves to Integrate Informal Waste Workers into EPR Framework Through Cooperative Model

By: Michael Mike

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has unveiled plans to formally integrate informal waste workers into Nigeria’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework through a Cooperative-Led Model aimed at expanding inclusion, improving environmental compliance and strengthening the circular economy.

Director General of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, Professor Innocent Barikor, disclosed this on Wednesday during a virtual stakeholder sensitization programme on the Cooperative-Led Extended Producer Responsibility Model as a formalization strategy for the informal sector.

Barikor said the initiative is designed to bridge long-standing gaps in the EPR ecosystem by bringing informal waste collectors, sorters and recyclers into recognized cooperative structures that provide access to governance systems, financing, digital inclusion, social protection and environmental compliance support.

According to him, the cooperative-led framework would create opportunities for informal operators to gain legal identity and transition gradually into formal economic participants through digital onboarding platforms, traceability systems and a proposed Cooperative Passport framework.

“The Cooperative-Led EPR Model presents an opportunity to organize waste actors into recognized cooperatives, provide them with legal identity, digital inclusion, financial access and social protection, while simultaneously strengthening national EPR implementation and environmental data systems,” he said.

Barikor described the initiative as both a social and economic transformation strategy capable of improving livelihoods while boosting environmental sustainability and data-driven waste management practices.

Chief Steward of the Nigeria Environmental Stewardship Cooperative Society, Dr. Peter Ayim, who presented the framework, said the model offers Nigeria a scalable pathway toward building an inclusive circular economy.

Ayim noted that the cooperative system would help tackle major structural challenges confronting informal waste workers, including lack of formal recognition, poor access to financing, occupational hazards, health and safety concerns, and social exclusion.

He cited countries such as Brazil, Colombia, India and South Africa, as well as member states of the European Union, as examples where cooperative-led systems have successfully integrated informal waste actors into structured EPR programmes.

“Global experience confirms that cooperative-led systems are the most effective pathway for integrating informal waste actors into structured EPR frameworks, delivering both environmental sustainability and inclusive economic growth,” he stated.

Stakeholders at the virtual meeting included the Recyclers Association of Nigeria, Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, E-Waste Producers Responsibility Organization of Nigeria and Rural Women Energy Security, among others.

NESREA Moves to Integrate Informal Waste Workers into EPR Framework Through Cooperative Model

Angwa-Rukuba Killings: Court orders suspects to remain in DSS’ custody*Okays speedy trial

A Plateau State High Court on Friday ordered that four suspects standing trial for their alleged involvement in the March 2026 killings in the Angwa Rukuba community of Jos North Local Government Area, remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The court also agreed to a request by the prosecution to speed up the trial. The matter was adjourned to May 26 to consider the report on the case management conference, and 1st and 2nd July for hearing.

The suspects, identified as Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar (also known as Auwalu Dogo), Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (also known as Yaroro), and others, are facing charges of terrorism and criminal conspiracy.

The charges were filed by the State Attorney General, Philemon Daffi, under the Plateau State Penal Code Law, 2017.
On Friday, Mustapha Shabbat (SAN), who announced his appearance for the defendants, objected to their continued detention in the facility of the DSS.

In a short ruling, however, the trial judge held it it remained the discretion of the court to determine where to keep suspects under trial.

“Considering the facts and circumstances of this case, this honorable court has jurisdiction to remand the defendant in the custody of DSS or correctional centr provided the place of custody is safe.
“The defendants are hereby remanded in the custody of the DSS. They must however be allowed to have access to his counsels while in detention pending the prompt conclusion of investigation,” ruled the judge.

Court: Case management has already been taken place in accordance with the provisions of the law. The case is hereby adjourned to 26th May for report of the court on case management and further adjourned to 1st and 2nd July, 2026 for hearing.

The particulars of offence read, in part “That you, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim of Riyom Local Government Area, Auwalu Abubakar (A.K.A Auwalu Dogo) of Jos North Local Government Area, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (A.K.A Yaroro) of Jos North Local Government Areas of Plateau State; and one Ado Ibrahim (Now at Large) of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, on the 28th day of March, 2025 at Farin Gada, Jos North Local Government Area, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit offences relating to terrorism when you planned, organized, facilitated, aided, and contributed money to carry out the attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court; you thereby committed the above offence.

“That you, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim of Riyom Local Government Area, Auwalu Abubakar (A.K.A Auwalu Dogo) of Jos North Local Government Area, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (A.K.A Yaroro) of Jos North Local Government Areas of Plateau State; and one Ado Ibrahim (Now at Large) of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, on the 28th day of March, 2025 at Farin Gada, Jos North Local Government Area, did commit the offence of terrorism when you planned, organized, facilitated, aided, contributed and received money to carry out an attack in Angwan Rukuba, which led to the death of over thirty (30) people in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.”
Part of the particulars of Alhassan’s offence read, “That you Adamu Isah Alhassan together with one Ibrahim Musa (Now at Large), Imarana Sa’idu (Now at Large), Yusuf Sa’idu (Now at Large) Aliyu Usaini (Now at Large), Yahuza Adamu (Now at Large), Mubarak Yunusa (Now at Large), Yakubu, whose surname is unknown (Now at Large) and others also at large between the months of January to December, 2025 and in January, 2026 at Gwang, Rin Ward, Bachit and Bangai Villages of Riyom Local Government Area and Vom in Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an illegal act to wit: Culpable Homicide Punishable with Death, when you armed yourselves with guns, attacked and killed the residents of Gwang, Rin Ward, Bachit and Bangai Villages of Riyom Local Government Area and Vom in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, and you thereby committed the above offence.”

Angwa-Rukuba Killings: Court orders suspects to remain in DSS’ custody*Okays speedy trial

Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Regional Security at MNJTF Meeting in Chad

By: Zagazola Makama

Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to regional cooperation and collective security efforts aimed at combating terrorism, insurgency and transnational crimes across the Lake Chad Basin.

Gen. Christopher Musa, Minister of Defense stated this during the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) meeting held on Tuesday in N’Djamena, Republic of Chad.

Musa, who attended the meeting alongside the joined defence ministers and senior military chiefs from Chad, Cameroon and Benin to review ongoing military operations and strengthen collaborative strategies for regional peace and stability.

According to the CDS, terrorism and insurgency within the Lake Chad region can only be effectively addressed through sustained regional cooperation, intelligence sharing and operational synergy among member states.

“Terrorism, insurgency and transnational threats can only be confronted through regional cooperation, intelligence fusion, synergy and sustained commitment among states,” he said.

He noted that the meeting provided an opportunity for participating countries to assess the progress of ongoing joint military operations under the MNJTF framework and identify areas requiring stronger collaboration.

Musa reaffirmed Nigeria’s resolve to continue supporting collective security initiatives aimed at restoring lasting peace and stability across the region.

“Nigeria remains steadfast in its commitment to collective security and the restoration of lasting peace across the Lake Chad Basin,” he said.

The CDS further stressed the importance of coordinated border security operations, intelligence-driven missions and enhanced military cooperation among member countries in addressing evolving security threats within the region.

The MNJTF, established by countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, coordinates multinational military operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP and other transnational criminal networks operating around the Lake Chad region.

Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Regional Security at MNJTF Meeting in Chad