Nigeria's Recycling Rate Below 10%, Urgent Action Needed

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has reported that Nigeria's recycling rate is below 10%, with most recycling activities occurring in the formal sector, which poses risks to public safety. Engr. Areg Samson Bawa, chairman of the NSE Kaduna branch, highlighted the urgent need for the government to adopt proactive waste management strategies.

This discussion took place during the 2026 World Engineering Day public lecture held in Kaduna, themed "Smart Waste: Sustainable Future Role of Artificial Intelligence." Guest speaker Engr. Terlumum Sesugh emphasized the importance of waste management in protecting public health and preventing environmental pollution. Bawa noted that Nigeria lags behind other countries in modern waste management practices.

The event also marked the global celebration of World Engineering Day, which was proposed by the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) and adopted by UNESCO during its 40th General Conference on March 4, 2020. The celebration aims to inspire young people to pursue careers in engineering and technological innovation.