Interviews conducted across the metropolis reveal that many residents resort to illegal dumping not out of choice, but desperation. The absence of public dustbins and irregular waste collection have left households with few alternatives.
“I know dumping waste in open areas is wrong,” said Abdulshakur Umar Garba, a resident of Ja’en. “But there are no dustbins around, and waste collectors come only once a week. If I keep it too long, it starts smelling, so I dump it near the canal.”
For others, the consequences are more severe. Amina Sani Salisu, who lives near an open dumpsite along Gaida–Panshekara Road, described a daily struggle with pollution and illness.
“The air is bad because people burn waste here. Mosquitoes breed around us, and I’ve been treated for malaria five times,” she said. “The air we breathe is not clean, the heat is worse, and our lives are at risk. The government needs to act urgently.”
Experts Warn of Health and Environmental Risks
Environmental experts describe the situation as a ticking time bomb. Dr. Danladi Mansir Bebeji, an environmental specialist based in Kano, warned that indiscriminate dumping has far-reaching consequences.
“Dumping waste everywhere is illegal and unacceptable,” he said. “It causes land, water, and air pollution. Chemicals from decomposing waste contaminate the soil, reduce agricultural productivity, and block drainage channels, worsening flooding during the rainy season.”
He called on authorities to establish designated waste-collection centers and enforce sanitation laws strictly, stressing that communities must also report offenders and maintain cleanliness.
Public health experts echo similar concerns. Dr. Stanley Adamu Adze, a community pharmacist, noted that waste-related diseases are increasingly common.
“Most hospital cases involve typhoid, diarrhea, respiratory infections, and asthma,” he said. “Flies carry germs from dumps to food, mosquitoes breed in blocked drains, and burning waste releases toxic smoke.”
Alarming Waste Statistics
Available data show that Kano generates about 3,085 tonnes of waste daily, yet only 20 to 36 percent is properly collected. This leaves over 2,000 tonnes uncollected every day. Reports also indicate that 93 percent of the city’s 300 known dumpsites are open and unregulated.
Organic waste makes up roughly 68 percent of total refuse, while plastics account for a significant share. Kano alone produces an estimated 30,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste annually, much of which ends up blocking drainage channels and contributing to flooding.
Government Responds: Awareness, Enforcement, and Recycling Plans
In response to the growing concern, the Managing Director of the Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB), Muhammad S. Khalil, said the Kano State Government has intensified a comprehensive awareness campaign across all 44 local government areas.
Speaking to Agro Climate News, Khalil described illegal waste dumping as a serious environmental and public-health threat.
“Dumping waste indiscriminately contaminates the air, land, and water we depend on,” he said. “The government has created massive awareness on these dangers, and there are penalties for anyone who violates environmental sanitation laws.”
Beyond enforcement, Khalil revealed that REMASAB is pursuing long-term solutions by engaging private investors to convert waste into economic resources.
“Our agency is in discussions with private companies to recycle plastic waste and produce organic fertilizer from biodegradable materials,” he explained. “This will reduce pollution, create jobs, and support farmers with affordable fertilizer.”
He added that the initiative, if fully implemented, would boost environmental sustainability, improve agricultural productivity, and expand economic opportunities in the state.
Khalil emphasized that government action alone cannot solve the problem, urging residents, community leaders, traders, and youth groups to cooperate with sanitation officials and report offenders.
“Cleanliness is not the responsibility of one person,” he said. “It is the responsibility of everyone living in Kano State. With public cooperation, we can keep our environment clean, safe, and healthy.”
Experts and residents agree that Kano’s waste crisis requires urgent, collective action. Investment in waste infrastructure, public-private partnerships, recycling initiatives, and continuous public education remain critical.
As Dr. Bebeji aptly noted, “Cleanliness is not just a government duty; it is a community responsibility.”
