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Abuja Urban Lab: collective action as a catalyst for transforming waste governance

Vanessa Vovor

The Abuja Urban Lab, launched in December 2023 by the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA), is an innovative initiative aimed at transforming waste management governance in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. Co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), this CoM SSA project focuses on creating a sustainable and climate-responsive waste governance framework to address the environmental impacts of rapid urbanization and population growth. By engaging a diverse range of stakeholders—including local government bodies, academia, the private sector, civil society, youth groups, and traditional leaders—the Urban Lab facilitates collaborative solutions that incorporate local knowledge and innovative practices. This article explores the objectives, approach, and anticipated impact of the Abuja Urban Lab, highlighting its potential to serve as a model for other African cities facing similar challenges.

Abuja’s rapid urbanization has led to waste management challenges, prompting collaborative solutions for urban resilience

Solid waste disposal point, eAbor Photography for CoM SSA
Solid waste disposal point, eAbor Photography for CoM SSA

Abuja, as Nigeria’s first planned city and capital since 1991, has experienced rapid urbanization, leading to significant challenges in waste management, such as environmental degradation, illegal dumping and burning of waste, which exacerbate climate-related hazards such as flooding and pollution.  The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), responsible for managing waste within its jurisdiction, struggles with inadequate infrastructure, financial constraints, and overlapping governance mandates with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB).


To address these challenges, AMAC, with the support of the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA), developed and launched its Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plan (SEACAP) in 2022. The action plan sets ambitious targets for climate change mitigation and adaptation as well as access to sustainable energy, with a key focus on improving waste management as a critical component of enhancing urban resilience. 


A rapid assessment conducted in early 2023 by the African Centre for Cities, in collaboration with CoM SSA, identified critical waste management issues in Abuja, including inefficient landfill management, lack of waste flow specialization, and governance challenges. Recognizing the need for a coordinated and inclusive approach, AMAC selected the topic of waste governance as the Urban Lab’s central theme in April 2023 with inputs from a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from AMAC, AEPB, Nile University, Baze University, and other academic institutions in Abuja. The Abuja Urban Lab was subsequently established to foster collaboration among an even wider range of stakeholders to co-create innovative solutions for waste management that align with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.


The Abuja Urban Lab employs a participatory, inclusive approach, engaging diverse stakeholders to co-create sustainable waste management solutions

AMAC SEACAP Launch July 2022 Abuja CoM SSA

The Abuja Urban Lab employs a deeply participatory and inclusive approach to tackle waste management challenges by convening stakeholders across various sectors. With Nile University of Nigeria serving as an anchor of the process, consultations with the public sector are held with not only the Abuja Municipal Area Council and Abuja Environmental Protection Board, but also with key subnational representatives and bodies of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) such as the Mandate Secretary on Health and Environment, the Minister Senior Special Assistant on Environment and Waste Management, the Satellite Towns Development Agency, the Permanent Secretary on Health and Environment and the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council. 


Moreover, civil society organizations, such as the Association of Women Town Planners of Nigeria, play a crucial role in ensuring gender-sensitive planning and inclusivity. Youth groups, particularly those affiliated with local universities, contribute innovative ideas and fresh perspectives, while the private sector, represented by recycling companies, waste collectors and other environmental service providers, provides key insights integral to developing a circular economy in Abuja. 



The informal sector, including waste pickers and small-scale recyclers, is actively engaged to ensure their critical role in the waste management ecosystem is recognized and integrated into formal processes. Additionally, traditional rulers and community leaders are involved to raise awareness among local communities and incorporate cultural practices into waste management solutions. This comprehensive and inclusive model fosters a sense of ownership and collaboration, ensures cultural relevance, and integrates local knowledge into waste governance solutions.


A significant milestone of the Urban Lab was the city-to-city exchange in May 2024, which facilitated a visit to Lagos for a group of Abuja Urban Lab stakeholders to learn from Lagos’s advanced waste management strategies. This exchange provided valuable insights into policy reforms, public-private partnerships, and inclusive governance models that can be adapted for Abuja. The Urban Lab continues to focus on strengthening stakeholder engagement, conducting in-depth policy reviews, and addressing governance challenges to develop practical and sustainable waste management strategies tailored to Abuja’s needs.


The Abuja Urban Lab aims to transform the city’s waste management, enhancing environmental health, economic growth, and social inclusion

The Abuja Urban Lab is anticipated to have a transformative impact on the city’s waste management system, contributing to environmental health, economic development, and social inclusion. By supporting the development of a more cohesive and inclusive waste governance structure, the Urban Lab aims to create an enabling environment for future sustainable infrastructure projects, such as waste valorization facilities. 

Through its inclusive stakeholder consultation process, the Lab is working to create strong policy recommendations aligned with international environmental standards. These efforts are expected to support the adoption of sustainable waste management practices across the city, contributing to Abuja’s long-term urban planning and development strategies.


The CoM SSA Urban Lab’s emphasis on improving governance structures and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders—including government agencies, the private sector, civil society, and the informal sector—lays the foundation for future investments and innovations in waste management. 

The Lab’s emphasis on social inclusion ensures that all voices are heard, fostering a sense of ownership and accountability among participants. This coordinated approach is expected to support AMAC in achieving its SEACAP targets, including a 20% reduction in waste-related greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The Abuja Urban Lab’s impact extends beyond environmental benefits, contributing to the overall resilience of Abuja’s urban environment and serving as a model for other African cities facing similar challenges.


The Abuja Urban Lab provides a replicable model for sustainable waste management and climate resilience through stakeholder collaboration and long-term environmental goals

The Abuja Urban Lab represents a significant advancement in addressing the intertwined challenges of waste management and climate resilience in Nigeria’s capital. Through its participatory approach and collaborative solutions, the CoM SSA Urban Lab is creating a blueprint for sustainable urban development that can be replicated in other African cities. 

The ongoing collaboration among stakeholders, including government bodies, academia, civil society, the private sector, and traditional leaders, ensures that the project not only meets its immediate goals but also contributes to long-term environmental sustainability and social equity in Abuja. After facilitating its Urban Lab approach in the capital, the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa would remain a partner of choice for the city in the preparation of urban infrastructure projects to further enhance waste management efficiency.

President of Women Town Planners Association of Nigeria and AMAC Head of Environement Abuja June 2024 CoM SSA

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