National News
FG Unveils Key Strategies To Tackle Waste
FG Unveils Key Strategies To Tackle Waste
By: Michael Mike
Nigerian government has taken a giant stride towards the waste management in the country with the release of strategies for the sector.
The Ministry of Environment in conjunction with the French Embassy in Nigeria and the French Development Agency (AFD) on Wednesday in Abuja unveiled the Gap Analysis Report of the Solid Waste Management Sector; National Roadmap on Solid Waste Management and User Guide for the use of Solid Waste Management Database to assist in tackling some of the challenges of waste management in the country.
The Minister of Environment, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi, in collaboration with the French Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mrs Emmanuelle Blatmann and AFD Country Director, Mr. Xavier Muron, unveiled the outputs and deliverables of the Technical Assistance (TA) programme to support the Nigerian federal management framework on solid waste.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has undertaken significant efforts in recent years to improve its national waste management policy, including the development of the National Policy on Solid Waste Management (SWM) and the National Policy on Plastic Waste Management.
Despite Nigeria’s strong commitment, the country is still facing a number of challenges to enhance solid waste management, in line with circular economy and sustainable treatment facilities.
From February 2021 to August 2022, the French Development Agency (AFD) financed a technical assistance programme for the Federal Ministry of Environment to support the implementation of its solid waste management framework. This technical assistance was carried out by a consortium of Nigerian and French companies (JV Hydroconseil, UrbaConsulting and Weir Capacity) who worked together towards a relationship of trust with the Federal Ministry of Environment.
The Minister appreciated the support of the French Government and AFD towards ensuring the success of the waste management in Nigeria, stressing that the reports would go a long way in tackling the challenges in the sector.
He added that the Ministry would continue to seek areas of collaboration with the French Government and the AFD.
The French Ambassador, on her part, said she was pleased to notice the active participation of all stakeholders throughout the programme implementation, including States, federal Institutions, private operators and donors.
He said this confirmed the interest of the States in the subject and underlined the need for support and capacity building in translating the national SWM roadmap into action at their level. “Given the extensive involvement of private operators throughout the waste management value chain, the programme has equally facilitated their participation and promoted public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the sector.
She expressed support for the Ministry of Environment “to continue its commitment into this direction, especially through the establishment of a formal stakeholder engagement committee, which is one of the key recommendations of the different deliverables.”
She noted that: “France, through the AFD, has been very pleased to support this project, as it demonstrates our commitment to accompany Nigeria in its efforts towards a green trajectory, in line with the Paris agreement for Climate. The implementation of a robust solid waste management framework will have many positive impacts, whether it is on health, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, biodiversity or environment as a whole.”
Through a gap analysis work, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building, the programme has permitted a better understanding of SWM constraints and challenges in Nigeria and improved knowledge of partner States in SWM practices. It strengthened the dialogue between the Federal Ministry, Federated States, and all the stakeholders engaged in the sector.
Throughout the TA Programme, seminars and workshops were organized with relevant institutions and agencies on operational level including pre-collection, collection, transport, landfill, recycling, extended producer responsibility and green certification mechanisms. The TA confirmed the interest of sixteen partner States in the subject and underlined the need for support and capacity building in translating the national SWM roadmap into action at their level.
The major deliverables produced during this programme with all stakeholders were the National Roadmap, which operationalizes the municipal stage of the two national solid waste and plastic waste management policies, and the National Database, which allows for monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the Roadmap. Those policy tools are adapted to the Nigerian regulatory framework. The Ministry of Environment played a key role in the process of improvement of solid waste management and in supporting the States on the implementation of adaptive systems at the local level.
FG Unveils Key Strategies To Tackle Waste
UN Agency Gives USD 395,000 to 39 Land Restoration Projects Worldwide
By: Michael Mike
In a decisive step to reverse land degradation, 39 land restoration projects led by grassroots organisations have been awarded USD 395,000 through the inaugural Small Grants Programme of the G20 Global Land Initiative (GLI), a flagship initiative of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Drawn from 22 countries, the winning projects were selected for their innovation, impact and sustainability. Over 650 organisations from more than 100 countries applied for the award. The winners were selected following three rounds of review by separate UNCCD staff teams, with varied expertise in land management and restoration.
Awardees will receive between US$5,000 and US$15,000 to fund grassroots efforts that boost local economies, improve food and water security and strengthen ecosystem resilience.
The announcement was livestreamed at an event showcasing the grant winners.
The Small Grants Programme is an important tool for achieving the G20 GLI’s mission of reducing degraded land by 50 percent by 2040.
Speaking during the award ceremony, Director of the G20 Global Land Initiative,Dr. Muralee Thummarukudy, said: “We are aware that these big numbers, cannot be achieved by small initiatives alone. Yet, we feel, it is important that tens of thousands of small actors, engaged in land restoration around the world, be supported, promoted and recognized,”
Special priority was given to organisations accredited to UNCCD and to projects empowering Indigenous Peoples, youth, women and the elderly.
The programme was set up in 2024 to support community-level non-profit organisations worldwide. According to a statement, by directly supporting civil society and grassroot actors, these grants will generate measurable progress across global aided restoration priorities, such as soil fertility enhancement, forest regeneration, sustainable agriculture, agroecology and ecosystem-based adaptation.
The statement added that beyond reclaiming land, the projects are enhancing livelihoods, strengthening community climate resilience, and fostering social enterprise and eco-preneurship.
“When we do these small grants program, it is not just about the grant. It’s about the network which we create and the visibility it provides — both for those within it and those outside who can benefit from their knowledge and experience,” Thummarukudy added.
Three of the highest-scoring projects were showcased at the UNCCD Conference of the Parties held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in December 2024, to highlight their potential for scaling and replication across regions.
The statement also revealed that winners will also be showcased at select high-level events in the future, stating that the G20 GLI is committed to inclusive and continuous engagement, and is exploring future
collaboration opportunities for the applicants not selected in this round.
Stressing that “this is just the beginning, this will be an annual process, the next cohort is about to start,” Dr Thummarukudy invited community organisations doing land restoration to apply to join the network because both “big and small” [efforts] are important.
He noted that the second call for applications will open in 2025 with increased funding and expanded
support for grassroots restoration efforts worldwide.
Innovative community-led restoration initiatives are essential for creating green jobs, especially for youth and women..The awards provide support that can transform restoration into a catalyst for economic opportunity and sustainable environmental management.
Examples of selected 2024 grantees include: Legacy of War Foundation (Rwanda), which will restore six hectares of degraded soil while empowering 90 women as landowners of fully organic cooperative farms. By integrating climate-smart and artisanal farming methods, the project aims to improve soil fertility and agricultural resilience in post-conflict rural communities.
Up2Green Foundation (India) is restoring mangroves and riverbanks in Tamil Nadu, India. The project is reforesting 60 hectares and planting 15,000 fruit trees, enhancing biodiversity, strengthening coastal resilience for flood prevention, and training local communities in sustainable agroforestry practices.
Sustainability and Environmental Studies Endeavor (Nepal) is working to restore
ecological balance along the mythological Nagaraj Trail. By revitalizing degraded farms, wetlands and forests using nature-based solutions, the project promotes nature-inclusive agriculture and convivial conservation approaches.
The G20 Global Land Initiative was launched in 2020 under the Saudi G20 Presidency. Hosted by the UNCCD, its ambition is to reduce degraded land by 50 percent by 2040. By showcasing
land restoration, empowering civil society, engaging the private sector and building capacity, G20 GLI is driving restoration to scale and energizing a restoration economy. The Small Grants Programme is a key component of this vision, empowering civil society to restore degraded lands and promote sustainable land management at scale.
UN Agency Gives USD 395,000 to 39 Land Restoration Projects Worldwide
National News
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
By: Michael Mike
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep grief over the passing of prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, saying the nation has lost an irreplaceable institution.
The late Dantata, an uncle of Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, passed away at the age of 94 in Abu Dhabi in the early hours of Saturday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid, his Personal Private Secretary (PPS), who confirmed the death.
In a condolence message, Vice President Shettima praised the late businessman for his lifetime of service, describing him as “a living bridge that connected us to our past.
“We have not just lost a leader; we have lost an irreplaceable institution,” Senator Shettima said, describing Dantata as “one of the greatest titans in Nigeria’s philosophical history” whose departure marks the end of a vital chapter in the country’s economic and democratic evolution.
“In African tradition, when such an elderly person transitions, a vital chapter of our history departs with them. He was indeed among the great titans, a living bridge that connected us to our past,” VP Shettima added.
The Vice President extended heartfelt condolences to the Dantata family, expressing hopes that they would “find the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” even as he prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the deceased Jannatul Firdaus.
Born into the legendary Dantata family of Kano, Alhaji Aminu built on his father’s commercial legacy to become one of Nigeria’s most influential business figures. His empire spans construction, manufacturing, banking, agriculture, and the oil and gas sectors.
Beyond business, Dantata was renowned for his extensive philanthropic work, funding schools, mosques, health centres, and supporting widows and the underprivileged across Nigeria.
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
National News
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
By: Michael Mike
The Senior Officials Meeting between Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.
A statement on Saturday by the Press Officer, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Modestus Chukwulaka, read: “The Delegation of European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS wishes to inform that the Senior Officials Meeting between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja.
“The agenda of the very important meeting is to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.”
According to the statement, the Senior Officials Meeting will be co-chaired by the Regions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria, Ambassador Janet Olisa, Director, and the Deputy Managing Director for Africa Department, European External Action Service, European Union, Mr Mathieu Briens.
The statement revealed that the agenda of the meeting is expected to entail wide-ranging discussions that would focus on various aspects of the Nigeria – EU partnership, such as: Cooperation on multilateral and regional issues; Peace, Security and Governance; Humanitarian situation; Trade and Investment; Human Development: Health, Education, Social Protection; Science, technology, innovation and digital transition; Migration; Energy, climate change and green economy transition among others.
Nigeria and the European Union share a deep, long-standing partnership inspired by mutual values and interests as well as support for multilateralism and rule-based international order, the statement said.
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
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