Nigeria has recorded a milestone in its environmental sustainability drive with the introduction of the Nigerian Waste Management Directory (NIWAD) 1.0, a digital platform designed to connect users with recycling and waste management services across the country.
The initiative was developed by Plogging Nigeria in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden in Nigeria and formally unveiled on March 30 at the Swedish Embassy Residence during activities marking the International Day of Zero Waste.
The event attracted diplomats, government officials, private sector players, and development partners who deliberated on addressing the nation’s mounting waste management concerns.
NIWAD 1.0 operates as a free and user-friendly online directory, enabling individuals, organisations, and businesses to identify verified waste management, recycling, and upcycling service providers based on their location and area of operation.
The platform is expected to bridge the gap created by inadequate access to reliable information and weak linkages between service providers and users.
Speaking at the unveiling, Sweden’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, described the platform as “an important milestone” that would promote transparency, enhance informed decision-making, and create new opportunities within Nigeria’s circular economy space.
In his remarks, the Founder and Executive Director of Plogging Nigeria, Mayokun Iyaomolere, said the platform goes beyond a simple directory, noting that it serves as “a foundational tool for policymakers, investors, and researchers seeking structured data to support sustainable waste management and infrastructural development in Nigeria.”
The organisers also disclosed plans to roll out NIWAD 2.0, a proposed $50,000 upgrade aimed at transforming the platform into a comprehensive national data and technology system.
The next phase is expected to feature a mobile application, wider data coverage across states and local governments, integration of informal waste collectors, and advanced tools for tracking recycling volumes.
NIWAD 1.0 is currently operational and will undergo continuous updates, with stakeholders encouraged to contribute relevant data and support its expansion to enhance efficiency in Nigeria’s waste management sector.