Ezemonye called for concerted efforts to improve waste management systems, as well as converting waste to wealth in Nigeria and across Africa.
He stated that despite efforts to improve waste management systems, inadequate infrastructure and limited recycling facilities pose significant challenges in Nigeria.
Ezemonye noted that addressing the waste crisis requires comprehensive strategies, innovative solutions and collective efforts.
The don made the call while delivering the second Distinguished Alumnus Lecture Series of the Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, held inside the Akin Deko Auditorium of the Ugbowo Campus of the university.
Speaking on the topic, ‘A Case of Waste Valorisation: Transition from Metaphor to Reality’, he noted that Nigeria is ranked first in Africa with over 32 million tonnes of waste per year, saying the figure is expected to increase to 107 million tonnes by 2050.
According to the VC, the majority of waste in Nigeria was organic waste, such as food waste and agricultural waste.
Ezemonye added that improper waste management leads to pollution of the land, air and water, adding that it also leads to climate change with severe consequences for the ecosystems.
He noted that some of the benefits of proper waste management include clean energy, climate change mitigation and green business and employment opportunities.
The don emphasised the need to strengthen waste management infrastructure, enact and enforce effective policies and partnership towards addressing the challenge.
“Despite efforts to improve waste management systems, inadequate infrastructure and limited recycling facilities pose significant challenges in Nigeria. Addressing the waste crisis in Nigeria requires comprehensive strategies, innovative solutions, and collective effort, “he said.
In his remark, Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences of the university, Prof. Jerry Orhue, said the lecture was insightful, adding: “The world has moved from the times and era when you just generate waste and leave it there as waste.
“This is now the time you convert your waste into wealth. What the distinguished lecturer has talked about is a process of bringing out value out of waste and not just in theory but in practical.”
