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The Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF) has called for an urgent reduction of methane and plastic production cuts, to advance a just transition to a zero-waste economy.
This is contained in a communique issued by Mr. Philip Jakpor, a civil society partner and member of the Waste Parliament on Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Lagos.
The communique stated that the Expanded Zero Waste Parliament 2026, was convened by CODAF in collaboration with Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives Africa.
It noted that the event which held on Tuesday in Lagos, brought together over 80 stakeholders.
Participants included government agencies, environmental regulators, farmers, academics, waste pickers, youth leaders, civil society groups and the media.
According to the communiqué, the forum, with the theme: “Cutting Methane, Curbing Plastics; A Just Transition to Zero Waste”, examined Nigeria’s waste management policies, methane mitigation strategies and plastics governance.
It noted that delegates observed that rapid urbanisation, population growth and poor waste management had worsened methane emissions from open dumping and landfills.
The communiqué said delegates noted that organic waste constituted significant share of municipal waste, generating methane through anaerobic decomposition.
It said the parliament warned against waste-to-energy incineration technologies, describing them as false climate solutions, incompatible with zero waste principles.
Participants stressed that methane reduction must not justify expansion of incineration infrastructure.
They also highlighted weak enforcement of plastic regulations and limited implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility.
The communiqué stated that the forum called for mandatory source segregation of waste, expansion of decentralised composting and integration of methane targets into climate plans.
It added that delegates also urged a formal recognition and protection of informal waste pickers, as essential service providers.
They then called on Lagos State and the Federal Government to adopt zero waste policies aligned with climate science and social justice principles.
By Fabian Ekeruche
