The Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) and Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen waste recovery coordination, recognise informal workers and expand women’s participation in Nigeria’s recycling sector.
The agreement was signed during a side event of the Gender and Inclusion Summit 2026 (GS-26), convened by the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) in Abuja.
WAPAN National President, Comrade Salisu Ali Yarima, and the association’s National Secretary signed on behalf of WAPAN, while RAN was represented by its Vice President and Secretary.
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The signing was witnessed by Mrs Esther Chibueyin Fagbo, Nigeria National Plastic Action Partnership Manager.
The partnership will promote collaboration among waste pickers, aggregators and recyclers, while improving data and traceability, recovery verification and engagement with government and industry.
It is also expected to support inclusive environmental action, create livelihood opportunities, strengthen accountability and ensure that women benefit from changing production and consumption patterns across the country.
The initiative formed part of GS-26, themed: “From Agenda to Action: Making Innovations Count for the Last Mile.”
Also at the summit, the Women in Plastic Innovation Challenge (WiPIC) highlighted women-led solutions addressing plastic waste through circularity and substitution innovations.
Thirty businesses received pitch training, 12 advanced to the next stage, while four finalists pitched their solutions live before proceeding to a Deal Room with investors and partners.
Vivian Maduekwe of eCycle Sustainability Solutions Ltd, Abuja, presented a gamified digital learning model aimed at teaching children aged six to 12 responsible plastic habits and linking schools with plastic collection and recycling initiatives.
Nimota Ogunyemi of Climate Alpha Technologies, Lagos, presented a circular economy model that transforms plastic waste into market-ready products while creating income opportunities for women and young people.
Following the pitch, both innovators recorded the same score and received N750,000 each.
The summit also recognised research through the GS-26 Academic Abstract Contest, where Dorah Tafar emerged first, Seun Okediran second, while Mabum Kwasen Isaac placed third.
Speaking with Voice of Nigeria, Isaac, a Policy and Research Writer at the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), said his research examined digital democracy, the rule of law and Nigeria’s digital regulatory framework.
“My abstract was about digital democracy and how it affects rule of law in Nigeria and also the Cyber Crimes Act. So that was Cyber Crimes Act and Nigerian Data Protection, NIMC, all these acts, that’s what I actually investigated and I found out that the Nigerian government, the laws are more reactive than proactive in a sense that it’s after the issues that are concerning digital, shall I say, laws happen that the Nigerian government goes on to make policies about it,” Isaac explained.
On Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act, amended in 2024, he said it had created fear among some people.
“For the Cybercrimes Act, Section 24, which was amended in 2024, it was found that it led to people having fear,” Isaac noted.
Beyond digital governance, Isaac linked reliable population data to effective development planning, calling for an updated national census to guide investments in healthcare, education and social infrastructure.
He described his recognition as an encouragement to young Nigerians to pursue research and their aspirations.
“It means a lot because at first, I just submitted the abstract out of love of research but I didn’t know it was actually going to lead to me winning and this serves as an encouragement and to all young people, be delusional with your dreams,” Isaac added.
