On a cloudy Saturday in July, the evening agreed to the prayers of farmers and the congregation of crops around Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS) community in North West Nigeria.
As soon as a bolt of lightning tore across the sky, claps of thunder followed and a heavy breeze blew indiscriminate waste to the doorsteps of students occupying Jibril Aminu hostel.
From markets to restaurants and even stores, Nigerians obtain Pp or polythene bags to package their foodstuff and other relevant items. After use, the waste products are dropped on the streets and sometimes drainages, exposing people to contamination.
Expressing his displeasure of the improper waste disposal on campus, Abdulsalam Abdulsalam, a 200-level student, told our correspondent that he passes through the landfill on campus to his hostel everyday and he usually inhales stinking odour.
“I have not seen a day that I wouldn’t pass through the dumping site because it links the campus to my hostel. Whenever I pass through the place, I would have to spit and cover my nose,” he explained. “The garbage point which causes air pollution should be moved far from the hall of residence in order to have a good atmosphere.”
According to a report by the Federal Ministry of Environment in 2019, Nigeria generates one of the highest amounts of solid waste in Africa, with 32 million tonnes per year. Most of these, however, end up in landfills, sewers, beaches, and rivers.
Improper waste management does not only result in litter everywhere, but also in air and sea pollution. Harmful greenhouse gases are created from decomposing waste. These rise up to the atmosphere and trap heat, causing extreme weather reactions in the form of storms and typhoons.
Also, the World Health Organization (WHO) says “improper disposal can lead to adverse health outcomes through water, soil and air contamination. Hazardous waste or unsafe waste treatment such as open burning can directly harm people involved in waste burning and neighbouring communities.
“Vulnerable groups such as children are at increased risk of adverse health outcomes. Poor waste collection leads to environmental and marine pollution and can block water drains. Resulting flooding and other standing waters in waste items favour cholera and vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue.”
Disturbed students
Like Abdulsalam, Abubakir Sharafadeen, a 200-level student of Agriculture, bemoaned the situation of waste disposal near their place of worship.
“There was a day we were performing afternoon prayer while refuse was being burned off. The smoke coming from the spot couldn’t allow the Imam and congregation to pray comfortably. At times, when there is wind, not all the refuse will be burnt at a time, which the wind carries the litters back to the hostel environment. I urge the school management to do the needful because it’s not only affecting the ecosystem but our health ,” he pleaded.
Ahmad Iliyas, a 300-level student of English and Literary Studies, also lamented the poor state of the hostel environment.
“I’m an asthmatic patient, I was in my room one day, and heavy smoke was coming from where they were burning refuse. I suffered the consequence that I had to vacate the vicinity immediately.”
The blame game
While some of the students blame the menace of improper waste disposal on student-leaders, the governor of Jibril Aminu hostel, Sabiu Muhammad accused his colleagues of negligence.
“Whenever the cleaners sanitise the hostel environment, within a few minutes, you will see students dumping their refuse anywhere they like. Earlier this session, the hall governors had a discussion with the patrons which resulted in provision of dustbins in each block. Unfortunately, the bins provided are nowhere to be found,” he complained.
Mallam Mu’azu, one of the hostel cleaners said, “The students are worsening the situation. To curb this challenge, the school management should provide a waste vehicle to pack dirt once we are done sweeping every morning.”
University reacts
When contacted for comments, the Dean of Students’ Affairs (DSA), Professor Umar Aliyu, also attributed improper waste disposal in the school hostels to nonchalant attitudes of students.
“There’s a saying that ‘cleanliness is next to Godliness’. The students are the major cause of improper waste disposal because we have sensitised the cleaners about it. In fact, there are some designated areas for the disposal of waste.
“In order to make the hostel environment tidy, I personally supervise the distribution of iron dust bins to stop this issue. There is a plan for the provision of incinerators to some strategic places in the school hostels to curb the flying of refuse.
“We need the maximum cooperation of the students, if we provide this and that, and they don’t desist from the improper disposal of waste, it will be like we aren’t doing anything,” the Dean said.
Speaking on the way forward, Qoseem Ibrahim, a Medical Lab Scientist, warned that improper waste management predisposed students and inhabitants of the university community to health threats especially during the rainy season.
“Improper waste disposal can cause a climate crisis, that is, whenever there is rainfall some people dispose of their wastes inside drainage, and when it is filled up to certain level, the waterway will be blocked. This can lead to flooding.
“Discipline should be inculcated by everyone who will love to see meaningful changes in the environment. There’s a way of turning waste to wealth. The students’ union can partner with waste recyclers to train students on how to alleviate poverty through turning waste into wealth. The management should also provide giant waste bins to the school hostels and some public places in the university community.”
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