Education
GIFSEP seeks expansion of community-based waste management initiative – EnviroNews
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A non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), has called for the expansion of community-based waste management and waste-to-wealth initiative in Nigeria.
Dr Michael David, the Executive Director of GIFSEP, made the call at a Knowledge Management Workshop to mark the completion of its #BioWaste4Resilience on Thursday, August 20, 2026, in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The #BioWaste4Resilience Project focuses on promoting sustainable waste management practices, environmental protection and economic empowerment through innovative waste-to-wealth solutions in participating communities.
He said lessons from the project could contribute to efforts by Nasarawa and Nigeria at large to transition from a linear “take, use and dump” economy to a circular economy where resources were recovered, reused and transformed into value.
“The project may be ending, but the work continues. Our hope is that the compost produced, women empowered, coconut shells transformed, knowledge shared and policy developed will become part of a much bigger movement,” he said.
David said that the project demonstrated that waste was not necessarily a problem, but that poorly managed waste constituted a challenge, while properly managed waste could create environmental and economic opportunities.
He said the project supported the production of nutrient-rich compost and liquid fertiliser, while discarded coconut shells were transformed into reusable household and other useful products.
David revealed that the interventions demonstrated the link between effective waste management, environmental protection, livelihoods, climate resilience and the circular economy.
He said one of the major achievements of the project was its collaboration with the Nasarawa State Government to develop the Nasarawa State Integrated Waste Management Policy 2026.
He said the policy, jointly developed by GIFSEP and the Nasarawa State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, was the first integrated waste management policy developed by the state since its creation 29 years ago.
He said the policy provided a framework for improved waste collection, segregation, recycling, resource recovery and safe disposal, while promoting a circular economy, cleaner communities, public health, job creation and waste-to-wealth opportunities.
“For us at GIFSEP, this is particularly significant because it demonstrates that local action can influence wider systems and policies,” David said.
He thanked the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme for supporting the project and having developed practical solutions to environmental challenges.
He also commended the Nasarawa State Government, especially the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, for its partnership and ownership throughout the project.
David also recognised the Agwan Doka II Women Cooperative, describing its members as partners in the solution rather than mere beneficiaries of the project.
He said the participation of the women demonstrated the opportunities available when women were provided with knowledge, skills and support to transform environmental challenges into economic opportunities.
David urged stakeholders to ensure that the knowledge generated from the project was properly documented, shared and replicated in other communities.
Also speaking, Dr. Ibironke Olubamise, the National Coordinator, UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme, said that the GEF Small Grants Programme supports grassroots environmental initiatives that improve livelihoods, translating government policies into practical community-based solutions.
Olubamise said the project was designed to demonstrate how waste could become a valuable resource, urging beneficiaries to sustain the initiative and maximise its environmental and economic benefits.
She encouraged communities to take ownership of the project, stressing that their commitment and effective utilisation of the initiative would determine opportunities for future support and development.
The coordinator noted that similar GEF-supported projects had transformed communities and created opportunities for women, while some initiatives had gained international recognition and awards.
She therefore urged beneficiaries to take the project seriously, assuring them that sustained commitment could create greater economic opportunities, improve environmental management and attract further support to their communities.
Dr. Mohamed Bello, the Director-General of the Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Authority, said plans are in motion to develop an integrated waste management policy for Nasarawa State, which had been presented to the state government and received commendation.
Bello reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustainable biowaste management and environmental protection.
He commended the BioWaste4Resilience project, saying that it had equipped communities with practical knowledge on converting biowaste into useful products.
Also speaking, Chief Zaki Solomon, Angwa Doka II, Project Community, commended GIFSEP for its contributions to communities, describing the projects as beneficial and expressing appreciation for the organisation’s efforts and commitment.
By Abigael Joshua
