Living in Nigeria, i quickly realize that environmental protection is something that affects our daily lives, i hate seeing or living in dirty environs, i wish everyone shared my mentality to be honest, from the clogged gutters that cause flooding during the rainy season, especially in cities like Lagos(every year) to the heaps of plastic bottles littering our streets, the state of our environment is directly tied to our health, and quality of life. Saving the environment is of paramount importance. You can do more as an individual with the right mentality tan the Government can ever do and it begins with simple habits, community responsibility and of course firm policies that ensure accountability. One of the easiest and most practical steps I have personally taken is recycling, particularly with regards to plastic bottles. Its actually the easiest method. Instead of throwing them away after a single use or burning them in trash. I save many of them and find alternative purposes or give to people that need them for something else. If i were at home whilst typing this I would have snapped the quantity id saved now. Some are reused to store liquids, some are repurposed for planting small crops and others are kept for future needs. This may seem like a small effort, but if millions of people adopted this mindset, the reduction in plastic waste would be significant. I do this even with the leather bad or nylon I get when I buy goods, I learn this from my mom I always keep the nylon or leather bag in a cabinet for re-use. Plastic pollution is one of the most visible environmental challenges in our cities. These bottles clog drainage systems, contribute to flooding, and often end up in rivers and streams.
Beyond individual effort, policy enforcement is critical. I've actually thought about this and i was always like if I were a governor in Nigeria, one of my first environmental reforms would be to make cleanliness in front of every house and shop mandatory. There should be a clear rule that no dirt, trash, or blocked gutter is allowed in front of any property. If waste is found in front of your house or shop at any time, you should be fined. Some may argue that this is harsh, but discipline is necessary for collective progress. When people know there are consequences, behavior changes. Even if someone is to throw trash in front of your house or property you will take actions to correct such a person and stand your ground. Clean streets would reduce flooding, prevent disease outbreaks and will definitely improve the overall appearance of our communities. It would even improve productivity, if you stay in a clean environment you tend to be more productive.
However, enforcement alone is not enough. The government must also provide adequate waste disposal systems. It is unfair to penalize citizens without ensuring regular waste collection services and accessible dumping sites. Environmental reform must combine strict regulation with practical support. When citizens see that the government is serious about sanitation and also providing the necessary infrastructure, compliance becomes easier and more sustainable, the government can even collect taxes for this.
Education or sensitzation if you will, is another powerful tool in saving the environment. Many Nigerians still view environmental issues as secondary concerns compared to economic survival. Yet, environmental degradation directly impacts livelihoods, especially in agriculture, fishing, and trade. Schools should integrate environmental education into their curriculum from an early age. Children should grow up understanding the importance of proper waste disposal, tree planting, water conservation, and recycling. Community sensitization programs can also help adults understand how their daily habits affect the environment. Ultimately, saving the environment requires a shift in mindset. It is not just the government’s duty, nor is it solely the responsibility of environmental activists. It is a collective obligation.