Solid Waste Management Policy and Urban Environmental Health in Owerri, Imo State, South East Nigeria

This study assesses solid waste management policy and its implications for urban environmental health in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, South East Nigeria. Rapid urbanisation, population growth, and the proliferation of commercial activities have generated enormous quantities of solid waste that overwhelm Owerri's waste management infrastructure, leading to open dumping, blocked drainage systems, and disease burden in densely populated neighbourhoods. Drawing on urban environmental governance theory and recent solid waste management literature from 2020 to 2024, the study employs a descriptive survey design. A sample of 240 urban residents, environmental health officers, waste collection contractors, and Owerri municipal officials is selected through stratified random sampling across three municipal wards. Data are gathered using structured questionnaires, observational checklists, and interviews. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis are applied. The study expects to find that inadequate funding for waste collection infrastructure, weak enforcement of anti-littering and waste segregation regulations, irregular collection schedules, and the absence of recycling facilities are the primary policy failures driving poor waste management outcomes. The health consequences of open dumping, including cholera, malaria, and respiratory disease burden, are also assessed. Recommendations will target reforming solid waste governance frameworks, expanding public-private partnerships in waste collection, and adopting sustainable waste management technologies appropriate for mid-size Nigerian cities. Keywords: solid waste management, environmental health, urban governance, Owerri, Imo State