The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Oyo State, Architect Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, has revealed that Oyo State is no longer considered as one of the dirtiest states in Nigeria. Mogbonjubola mentioned this at a two-day waste summit that was arranged by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in cooperation with Recycedge. The event, which aimed at encouraging a better environment, involves a cleanup exercise with roughly 500 participants. Mogbonjubola encouraged the people to prioritize cleanliness in an intentional attempt to create a healthier living environment free from illnesses and avoidable tragedies.
In transforming its unfavorable reputation as one of Nigeria’s dirtiest states, Oyo State has made significant strides and it is not a coincidence that the state’s Sanitation has recently improved. Under the direction of the new Commissioner, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has seen a rebirth, involving the decentralization of the state’s Waste Management consulting and the establishment of an environmental fast response squad. Considerable progress has been made under Governor Seyi Makinde’s leadership, particularly in the state capital, Ibadan.
Stringent enforcement guidelines contributed to this shift.
Rebuilding the five zonal offices that had been ignored and reviving resources like utility vehicles and dump sites that had been abandoned by previous administrations were among the efforts made to revitalize the waste management infrastructures that had become stale. Also contributing to the change have been the return of stringent enforcement guidelines, penalties for violators, and persistent public awareness initiatives. Building on these recent successes, Oyo is striving to rank among the three cleanest states in Nigeria, according to the state’s environmental commissioner.
This change is a reflection of the overarching mission to promote a clean environment in both urban and rural areas by integrating enforcement with public outreach. The state has successfully attained a 60% compliance rate with waste management Legislation through a combination of lobbying and enforcement actions. Additionally, the Oyo State Waste Management Authority (OYOWMA) has reintroduced a number of significant aspects and resources that were abandoned by previous administrations. The state’s cleanliness, which has increased through deliberate measures, has changed the public’s view of the state.
Concentration on bettering trash disposal has been notable.
Ibadan was once listed as one of the dirtiest cities in Africa due to its history of inadequate waste management and environmental sanitation problems. Rapid urbanization, inefficient government’s reaction to the sanitation crisis, and inadequate waste management Infrastructure were all contributing factors to the current state of affairs. Nonetheless, there have been notable advancements as a result of the Oyo State government’s concentration on bettering trash disposal and sanitation procedures. Public-private partnerships for waste collection, stronger enforcement of waste management legislation, and the revival of OYOWMA are just a few of the initiatives that have improved Ibadan’s cleanliness and public health.
Moreover, Ibadan’s departure off the list of the “dirtiest cities” indicated that urban management is making progress in these areas as the general state of the city’s environment has improved. Nonetheless, Oyo still trails behind other states like Akwa Ibom, Abuja and Ebonyi who are recognized as the cleanest states in Nigeria, achieving an impressive cumulative score of 72%, 50% and 47% respectively, according to the recent five-year project review known as STONE Pro-Max 2023. The index rates state according to a number of criteria, including sanitary procedures, environmental hygiene, and waste management.
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Only a few states—Lagos, Abuja, and Bauchi, among others—have sanitary landfills; the majority of states still dispose of waste in open areas, which is a crucial component in calculating cleanliness ratings. Although Oyo has made progress in enhancing its public cleaning initiatives and waste management facilities, there is still much work to be done before the state can match top-ranked states like Akwa Ibom. Also building on its great progress, more work is needed to guarantee continued advancement and maintain the momentum in the direction of complete adherence to environmental regulations.