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WASTE PICKERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (WAPAN)

The backbone of sustainable waste management and keeping the environment clean from non-degradable.

INCLUSIVITY

WAPAN values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment where every waste picker is respected and has a voice.

EMPOWERMENT

WAPAN is dedicated to empowering waste pickers by providing them with the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to improve their livelihoods and advocate for their rights.

SUSTAINABILITY

WAPAN is committed to promoting sustainable waste management practices that protect the environment and improve public health, while also taking climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

SOLIDARITY

WAPAN believes in the importance of working together in a united and supportive manner to promote the interests of waste pickers across Nigeria.

ADVOCACY

WAPAN believes in the importance of advocating for policies and regulations that support the rights and interests of waste pickers and actively engages with stakeholders and decision-makers to promote these policies.

EDUCATION

WAPAN values education and strives to provide waste pickers with opportunities to learn and develop new skills related to sustainable waste management and climate action.

OUR PARTNERS

Join WAPAN and be a Part of the Change

joining the Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of waste pickers across the country. As a member of WAPAN, you will be part of a dynamic and growing community of waste pickers, waste management professionals, policymakers, and concerned citizens who are committed to promoting sustainable waste management practices, advocating for the rights of waste pickers, and empowering them to participate fully in society.

By joining WAPAN, you will have access to a range of resources, education, and advocacy support that will help you to improve your working conditions and achieve your goals. Whether you are a waste picker looking for training and support, a waste management professional seeking to build your network and knowledge, or a policymaker looking for a partner in promoting sustainable waste management practices, WAPAN has something to offer.

WAPAN LEADERSHIP

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Ali Sabo Yakasai

Founder/ Financial Secretary

North-East

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Comrade Salisu Ali Yarima

National President

Nort-West

Adama

Suleiman Adama

National Secretary

North Central

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Dr. Hadiza Shettima

National Treasurer

North Central

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Comrade Gabriel Cole

National Organising Secretary

South-South

Creating Awareness, Empowering Lives! 🌱♻️

Our dedicated WAPAN members engaging with waste pickers, spreading knowledge about sustainable waste management practices and empowering them for a better future. Together, we can make a positive impact on our environment and uplift the lives of waste pickers. 

WAPAN Updates

Building Green Skills, Creating Sustainable Futures, and Accelerating Real Impact in Jigawa

Following the successful flag-off of our 600 Young Women Upcycling Capacity & Green Skills Training in Jigawa State, the Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) officially commenced hands-on...

First Lady of Jigawa Champions WAPAN’s Women’s Day Initiative to Train 600 Young Women in Waste-to-Wealth Upcycling

Celebrating International Women’s Day with 600 Young Women in Jigawa On International Women’s Day 2025, the Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) proudly flagged off a transformative training...

Waste Pickers Are Environmental Heroes, Not Criminals: A Call for Justice on International Waste Pickers’ Day

By Comrade Salisu Ali Yarima, President, Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) On March 1, 1992, in Colombia, eleven waste pickers were brutally murdered — a tragedy that ignited a global...

3-Month Impact Report: WAPAN–SFC Training Academy Capacity Building on Sustainable Plastic Waste Recycling

At the Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN), our mission goes beyond waste collection — we are transforming waste management into viable economic opportunities that uplift communities, empower...