By: Ibrahim Ammani
Stakeholders in environmental protection across Kaduna State have called for stronger collaboration and innovative strategies to address waste management challenges and protect the environment from pollution that threatens human and ecological health.
To advance these efforts, the Desk of Climate Change and Environment at the Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC), in partnership with the African Climate Reporters (ACR) and the Office of the Kaduna State Governor on Climate Change, organized a one-day Kaduna Monthly Climate Hangout.
The February edition of the forum was held under the theme “Rethinking Waste: Innovative Recycling Solutions for a Greener Kaduna.” The event brought together scientists, climatologists, geologists, academics, religious leaders, environmental journalists, youths and civil society organizations, and non-governmental organizations working on climate change and environmental protection, with the aim of promoting a cleaner and healthier environment.
The forum featured panel discussions where experts and stakeholders exchanged ideas on practical approaches to reducing waste-related pollution, flooding, and land degradation in the state.
Delivering the lead paper, Comrade Yahaya Muhammed, Controller-General of Safety Awareness and Environmental Support Initiatives (SAESI), emphasized the need to strengthen the capacity of recycling companies to manage the increasing volume of waste contributing to environmental degradation.
He stressed that public education is critical to ending harmful practices such as open waste burning, which poses serious health and environmental risks.
According to him, plastic waste remains a major challenge, but with the right innovation and investment, it can be recycled into useful products.
He warned against the widespread practice of setting fire to dump sites in residential areas and noted that proper waste management could generate income, adding that “waste is wealth” when effectively recycled.
Comrade Muhammed commended the Kaduna State Government for introducing Operation Tsafta and reviving monthly environmental sanitation exercises, noting that these initiatives would help reduce the volume of waste in society.
Also speaking, Comrade Bala Umar, President of the Association of Horticulture Farmers Unity and Development, Kaduna State, revealed that the association plants over 50 million seedlings annually using discarded pure water sachets as nursery materials which was collected from the street
He explained that horticulture farmers are at the forefront of converting community waste into productive use, thereby preventing pollution and reducing flood risks.
He urged residents to stop indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste on streets and public spaces and to support efforts aimed at maintaining a cleaner and healthier environment.
In her remarks, a lecturer at Kaduna Polytechnic, Malama Halima Haruna of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, College of Engineering, highlighted the need for continuous public sensitization on the dangers of improper waste disposal.
She called on stakeholders to sustain awareness campaigns and promote innovative recycling practices that transform waste into useful materials.
She also appealed to citizens to stop throwing trash and garbage on the streets and urged support for strengthening recycling companies across northern Nigeria, noting that such efforts could create thousands of jobs in the recycling sector.
Meanwhile, Mr. Samsam Auta, Co- Director at the Interfaith Mediation Centre, described the Kaduna Monthly Climate Hangout as a vital platform that brings together scientists, geologists, environmental journalists, non-governmental organizations, and civil society groups committed to environmental protection.
He said, this is kaduna strongest climate hub were All stakeholders meets monthly in issue related to climate change and environment matters in the state
He noted that IMC provides a space for dialogue, collaboration, and policy-oriented discussions among stakeholders aimed at promoting environmental sustainability in Kaduna State, and commended journalists and media organizations for their active participation.
Mr. Abel Yahaya Hayas, Head of Environment, Climate Change and Mitigation at NACCIMA Youth Entrepreneurs (NYE), expressed delight over the discussions with scientists on innovative ways to protect the environment from degradation and pollution at the community level.
He added that such workshops help civil society organizations develop practical work plans for environmental protection and called on non-governmental organizations to show greater commitment to finding lasting solutions to environmental challenges.
Contributing during discussions with journalists, and also One of the panelist ,Malama Hajara Dan-Musa, Founder of Al-Ihsan Fruits Plus, shared various ways to mitigate waste pollution through recycling.
According to her, her organization has implemented several initiatives aimed at addressing waste pollution in society.
She stated that her work focuses on household-level and community-scalable environmental solutions, including:
Development of compostable food packaging from sugarcane bagasse as an alternative to plastics and Styrofoam products
Organic waste separation and composting, including an ongoing compost project initiated on December 13, 2025, in collaboration with the National Environmental Society, where materials are actively managed and monitored
Preparation of compost and organic soil inputs for a demonstration nursery to support a broader Green Corridor environmental restoration initiative
Food waste repurposing, such as producing natural vinegar from unused sugarcane juice
Simple greywater reuse methods using sand, gravel, and charcoal filtration for water conservation
Head to communication and strategies at African climate reporters who is a science journalist thank all the participants.
