International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Rapid urbanisation and population growth have significantly increased the volume of solid waste generated across Nigeria, placing enormous pressure on local governments, which bear the primary responsibility for waste management. Although numerous studies have examined solid waste management practices, few have synthesised evidence from environmental agency reports to assess the institutional capacity of local governments over time.
Objective: This study examined the capacity, performance, and institutional challenges of local governments in managing solid waste in Nigeria between 2015 and 2024.
Method: The study adopted a secondary data research design. Twelve reports published between 2015 and 2024 were purposively selected from the Federal Ministry of Environment, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the World Bank, and UN-Habitat based on predefined eligibility criteria. Data were analysed using trend and thematic analysis. Results: The analysis revealed a steady increase in urban population and corresponding growth in solid waste generation throughout the study period. Despite the existence of relevant policy frameworks, local governments faced persistent institutional constraints, including inadequate funding, weak regulatory enforcement, insufficient waste management infrastructure, limited recycling initiatives, inadequate technical capacity, and low levels of community participation.
Conclusion: The study concludes that the effectiveness of solid waste management in Nigeria is constrained less by the absence of policy than by weak institutional capacity at the local government level. Strengthening institutional frameworks, improving funding, enhancing regulatory enforcement, investing in waste management infrastructure, and promoting community participation are essential for achieving sustainable and efficient solid waste management.