A Review on the Current Status of Municipal Solid Waste Management in Nigeria: Problems and Solutions

Abstract

The management of MSW is a major concern in several cities of developing countries due to its public health and environmental sustainability implications. This paper thus presents an overview of the current solid waste management practices and problems in some selected states in Nigeria. In addition to the comprehensive review of MSW generation, its characterization, collection, and treatment options in the considered states, an attempt was made to evaluate the major waste–to–energy indicators such as calorific values and energy (electricity) recovery potential. The legislations in place at the federal level to maintain healthy environment is also lucidly presented. An estimated electricity recovery potential in the range of 48.31 to 933.69 MW with a total of about 2600MW from six states was established. Evidences from literature suggested that the existing solid waste management system is inefficient due to uncoordinated and properly planned waste management system. This paper concludes that the thermochemical conversion of waste-to-energy into electricity is a feasible option in Nigeria, although this might require the input of additional quantity of fuel to initiate combustion since the lower heating values of the considered MSW fall below the optimum stipulated by World bank.