Imperative of Synergy of Waste Management Laws and Planning Regulations for Proper Domestic Waste Management in Ekiti and Kogi States, Nigeria

Abstract

Proper waste management is crucial to environmental protection and the realisation of the goals of sustainable development in every society. As important as it is, it has remained the albatross of developing countries and particularly Nigeria. Improper management and indiscriminate disposal of wastes in Nigeria are major sources of environmental pollution that have continued to make the environment toxic for the survival of human being and other living things. It is not a challenge insurmountable but rather, it is a challenge of strategy. Enforcement of waste management instruments without the enforcement of planning regulations will be a puerile exercise. The study advocated a synergy of waste management instruments for proper domestic waste management and disposal both in Ekiti and Kogi States, Nigeria. Ekiti State is one of the six States in the Southwest geopolitical zone in Nigeria while Kogi State is one of the six States in the North central geopolitical zone in Nigeria. The two States were adopted to showcase waste management practices in many of the States in Nigeria. The study is doctrinal and the data were obtained from both the primary and secondary sources of data. The primary sources are the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) 1999, Statutes, planning regulations and judicial authorities while the secondary sources are textbooks, journal articles, newspapers, government news and internet materials. The study found that in both urban and rural areas in the two States, land use is mostly without development permit or with regulations flouted in most parts, and this is a major gap that strengthens improper waste management and disposal. The study concluded that enforcement of planning regulations must be a precursor for enforcement of waste management regulations.

Keywords: Domestic waste, urban areas, urban renewal, setbacks, disposal

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/156-04

Publication date: October 28th 2026