Daniel Otera
The Niger State government has rolled out a strict registration drive for all scrap and waste dealers operating in its 25 local government areas. This initiative aims to clean up the trade and put a stop to the growing problem of vandalism that has caused widespread damage to both public and private properties.
Vandalism of transmission infrastructure continues to pose a serious challenge to Nigeria’s power sector. Between January 2024 and June 2025, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) reported a total of 264 high-voltage transmission towers destroyed due to acts of vandalism. In 2024 alone, 86 towers were affected, with 26 completely destroyed, leading to significant disruptions in power supply. The situation worsened in the first half of 2025, with 42 incidents recorded that affected a total of 178 transmission towers across regions including Abuja, Bauchi, Enugu, Shiroro, Kano, and Port Harcourt. These persistent attacks on critical infrastructure have severely hampered efforts to stabilize and improve power supply across the country. The TCN continues to work on increasing security around transmission lines, but the damage caused by these acts of sabotage has cost the country millions of Naira and worsened the power crisis that already affects many Nigerian households and businesses.
Similarly, Nigeria’s telecommunications sector has been severely impacted by widespread disruptions caused by vandalism, particularly concerning fiber optic networks. In 2025 alone, MTN Nigeria reported over 5,400 fiber optic cable cuts, which significantly disrupted network operations. The damage caused by these cuts has impacted services in both urban and rural areas, with some incidents affecting over 100 sites across 15 local government areas. The period between January and July 2025 saw the most severe disruptions, with July alone accounting for 760 cable cuts. June 2025 experienced the highest monthly total, with 1,016 cable disruptions. The causes of these disruptions range from road construction accidents to deliberate acts of vandalism. The increasing frequency of these attacks has placed a substantial strain on telecom firms, hindering their ability to provide reliable services and affecting the day-to-day activities of millions of Nigerians. MTN and other telecom providers are calling for stricter enforcement of laws and better protection of vital infrastructure to mitigate these challenges.
Nigeria’s oil sector, too, has long struggled with crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, which have led to billions of dollars in losses. However, recent data indicates a significant reduction in crude oil theft. Between January and July 2025, Nigeria lost only 2.04 million barrels of crude oil, averaging approximately 9,600 barrels per day. This is a notable improvement compared to previous years, such as 2021 when losses peaked at a staggering 37.6 million barrels. The reduction in losses is attributed to enhanced security measures and improved monitoring of oil facilities, particularly in regions prone to theft and vandalism. Despite these improvements, crude oil theft and pipeline damage still remain major problems, especially in the Niger Delta region. The continued sabotage of pipelines and oil facilities has contributed to the loss of revenue and has led to significant repair costs for oil companies operating in the country. Efforts by the government and private sector to combat these issues have yielded some results, but ongoing vigilance and investment in security are required to ensure the sustainability of these gains.
The scrap and waste management sector plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s informal economy, providing employment and contributing to recycling efforts. The National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) has set a target of creating an additional 5 million jobs in this sector by the end of 2025. This initiative aims to formalize the informal scrap and waste economy, which has long been a vital part of Nigeria’s waste management system. The sector, which includes the collection, recycling, and resale of scrap metals and other materials, supports thousands of Nigerians. NASWDEN’s goal of adding 5 million new jobs will help to further formalize this industry, improve waste management practices, and enhance the recycling of materials like metals, plastics, and electronics. While the sector has provided opportunities for many Nigerians, particularly in urban areas, there is still much work to be done in terms of regulation, safety standards, and expanding its formal structures. Formalizing this sector will help reduce the environmental impact of waste and increase its economic potential.
However, one of the most alarming issues within the waste sector is child labor, particularly involving children engaged in waste picking. This practice, though potentially lucrative, exposes children to numerous physical and psychological risks, including hazardous waste exposure, physical injuries, and stunted growth. Recent statistics from the Nigeria Child Labour Survey 2022 reveal that approximately 50.5% of children aged between five and 17 are involved in child labor. A significant portion of these children is drawn into waste picking due to the immediate financial incentives it provides. This practice is especially prevalent in urban areas where access to formal education or alternative sources of income is limited. (International Labour Organization, 2022).
In northern Nigerian cities like Kaduna, near Niger State, studies have shown that 77.8% of child waste pickers fall within the 13-17 age range. This age group is particularly vulnerable, as they face physical and developmental risks, including exposure to toxic materials and pollutants that can lead to long-term health issues. These findings highlight the critical need for targeted policy interventions aimed at reducing underage involvement in waste picking and addressing the broader social factors contributing to child labor. (Ajayi, 2022).
While child waste pickers are often motivated by immediate economic needs, the long-term impact on their health and development is devastating. Waste sites are often filled with hazardous materials such as sharp objects, chemicals, and biological waste, which significantly increase the risk of injury and disease. Children working in such environments are at risk of developing both physical and mental health problems.
In northern Nigeria, the health risks associated with child waste picking are particularly pronounced. Many child scavengers in Kaduna, aged between 13 and 17, are exposed to conditions that severely impact their physical health. Studies have indicated that these children face long-term risks such as respiratory issues, poisoning from chemicals, and stunted growth due to malnutrition and exposure to toxic substances. This reflects the broader findings that 77.8% of child waste pickers in the region are within this age range, further emphasizing the vulnerability of this group.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, known for his farmer background, laid out the directive during a key meeting with leaders of the Scrap and Waste Dealers Association, Niger State chapter, at the Government House in Minna. His Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, shared details in a statement released on Tuesday.
The registration process requires full details from dealers, including residential and business addresses, Bank Verification Numbers, and National Identification Numbers. This setup allows for proper tracking and oversight. The state government plans to supply biometric devices to speed up the process.
As the statement put it: “The state government will support them with biometric devices that will help in the registration process, maintaining that the registration is necessary to provide them with a license if they must continue to operate in the state.”
The governor made it clear that no one under 18 years old can pick scraps in the state.
He stressed tough action against violators: “The farmer governor also disclosed that anybody less than 18 years old is prohibited from picking scraps in the state, adding that anyone found with an item belonging to the public or private will be dealt with decisively.”
To push the plan forward, the governor set up another session for Thursday with the Secretary to the State Government, Usman Abubakar. This gathering will launch the elected chairmen of the scrap and waste dealers from all 25 local government areas. These leaders will link directly with the governor’s Coordinator on Scrap, Abdusallam Sa’ad, aiming to cut down the sharp rise in vandalism cases targeting public and private setups.
Abdusallam Sa’ad backed the initiative, noting its role in weeding out problems.
The statement quoted him: “The registration of scrap dealers in the state, as directed by the state governor, will help in sanitizing the members and the business, revealing that his office will provide the forms while the registration fees will be paid into a government account.”
The Chairman of the Scrap and Waste Dealers Association, Niger State chapter, Muhammad Ahmad Ali, took time to list out the group’s rules and regulations. These cover screening all members, requiring guarantors, making identification tags visible, and handing out punishments to those caught in theft.
The session turned interactive, with participants sharing ideas on spotting and removing bad elements among honest dealers. Suggestions flowed on ways to separate genuine traders from those using the trade for theft, building trust in the sector.