WAPAN, RAN sign pact to strengthen Nigeria’s recycling sector

NIGERIA – The Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria and the Recyclers Association of Nigeria have signed a memorandum of understanding to improve waste recovery coordination, recognise informal workers and expand women’s participation in recycling.

The pact was executed during a side event of the Gender and Inclusion Summit 2026, convened by the Policy Innovation Centre in Abuja. 

WAPAN’s national president, Comrade Salisu Ali Yarima, and the association’s national secretary signed on its behalf, while RAN was represented by its vice president and secretary. 

Esther Chibueyin Fagbo, Nigeria National Plastic Action Partnership manager, witnessed the signing.

Partnership Targets Traceability and Inclusion

The collaboration will promote coordination among waste pickers, aggregators and recyclers while improving data and traceability, recovery verification and engagement with government and industry. 

It is also expected to support inclusive environmental action, create livelihood opportunities and strengthen accountability, ensuring women benefit from shifting production and consumption patterns nationwide. 

The initiative formed part of GS-26, themed “From Agenda to Action: Making Innovations Count for the Last Mile.“

Women-Led Innovations Showcased at Challenge

At the same summit, the Women in Plastic Innovation Challenge highlighted women-led solutions addressing plastic waste through circularity and substitution innovations. 

Thirty businesses received pitch training, 12 advanced to the next stage, and four finalists pitched live before proceeding to a Deal Room with investors and partners. 

Vivian Maduekwe of eCycle Sustainability Solutions in Abuja presented a gamified digital learning model teaching children aged six to 12 responsible plastic habits while linking schools with collection and recycling initiatives. 

Nimota Ogunyemi of Climate Alpha Technologies in Lagos presented a circular economy model converting plastic waste into market-ready products while generating income for women and young people. 

Both innovators recorded identical scores and each received ₦750,000 (US$501.34).

Research Recognition and Digital Governance Findings

The summit also recognised research through the GS-26 Academic Abstract Contest, where Dorah Tafar placed first, Seun Okediran second and Mabum Kwasen Isaac third. 

Isaac, a policy and research writer at the Public and Private Development Centre, said his research examined digital democracy, the rule of law and Nigeria’s digital regulatory framework. 

He explained that his abstract addressed how digital democracy affected the rule of law in Nigeria and covered the Cybercrimes Act, Nigerian Data Protection Act and NIMC regulations. 

He found that Nigerian government laws were more reactive than proactive, with policies emerging only after digital concerns arose. Regarding Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act, amended in 2024, he noted it had created fear among some people. 

Isaac linked reliable population data to effective development planning and called for an updated national census to guide investments in healthcare, education and social infrastructure.

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