By Ify Onyekwere
The vibrant airwaves of People’s 105.5FM carried an insightful discussion that has the potential to reshape the energy landscape of Nigeria. The radio edition of The Development Report, titled “Waste-to-Energy Solutions for Nigerian Cities,” featured Nwankwo Nnenna, a Climate Change and Energy Expert who passionately shared her vision for a cleaner and more sustainable future. In a conversation that spanned various innovative strategies, Nnenna underscored the importance of transforming waste into energy as a sustainable solution to Nigeria’s growing waste management challenges.
At the heart of Nnenna’s contribution was the concept of harnessing non-recyclable waste through advanced technologies to generate energy for heating, cooking, and other utilities. She highlighted the multitude of technologies available to achieve this, emphasizing that Nigeria is ripe for the adoption of waste-to-energy solutions. By implementing practices such as source sorting, which involves differentiating between plastics, metals, and organic waste, Nigeria can streamline its waste management processes and advance to the next phase of energy conversion more efficiently.
Nnenna’s insights extended to the potential of converting food waste into energy, revealing that even coconut husks can be used to produce power. Her research into waste management technologies revealed that if Nigeria adopts a comprehensive waste management strategy, the country could effectively achieve a zero-waste status. Nnenna noted that various entrepreneurs are already making strides in the sector, from gas construction and installation to logistics and transportation. However, she stressed that public awareness remains a significant hurdle, a gap that needs to be bridged to ensure these innovations are widely adopted.
The discussion also explored practical applications, such as the use of Fixed Dome Digesters and Floating Dome systems, which convert organic waste into biogas. These systems can be adapted for use in different settings, from static septic tanks to movable toilets, offering versatile solutions that require minimal maintenance. Nnenna emphasized the importance of changing public perceptions around waste, encouraging Nigerians to see beyond the ‘dirtiness’ of waste management and focus on the economic and environmental benefits it can bring.
Hosted by Ify Onyekwere, a passionate advocate for sustainable development, the program concluded with a call to action for greater collaboration among stakeholders. Nnenna urged government bodies, private sector players, civil society organizations, and everyday citizens to work together, sharing knowledge and resources to drive forward Nigeria’s waste-to-energy agenda. She highlighted the critical role of social media in raising awareness and fostering community involvement, advocating for its use as a tool to educate and mobilize the grassroots.
As stakeholders strive to tackle energy challenges and environmental degradation, this insights shared by Nwankwo Nnenna on The Development Report offer a beacon of hope. By embracing waste-to-energy technologies, Nigerian cities can not only reduce their waste footprint but also generate much-needed energy, creating a cleaner, more sustainable future for all.
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