Environmental Audit of Solid Waste Management Practices in Kano Metropolis, North West Nigeria

Effective solid waste management is a pressing environmental governance challenge in large Nigerian cities, where rapid population growth has outpaced infrastructure development. This study conducted an environmental audit of solid waste management practices in Kano metropolis, evaluating generation rates, collection efficiency, disposal methods, and institutional capacity. Primary data were collected through household waste characterisation surveys at 200 households in five residential zones representing different socioeconomic strata. Waste collection vehicle utilisation data and disposal site conditions were assessed through direct observation and Kano State Waste Management Authority records review. Waste composition analysis was performed to determine organic, recyclable, and hazardous fractions. Results showed average per-capita daily waste generation of 0.52 kilograms, with organic kitchen waste constituting 58 percent of the waste stream. Collection efficiency varied between 34 and 67 percent across districts, with low-income peripheral areas least served. The Challawa open dumpsite, the main disposal facility, showed inadequate leachate management and was operating beyond design capacity. Recyclables constituted 24 percent of the waste stream but only 7 percent was recovered through informal waste picking. The study recommends developing a Kano Metropolitan Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan that incorporates composting of organic fractions, formalisation of informal recyclers, and development of a sanitary engineered landfill to replace the current dumpsite. Keywords: solid waste management, environmental audit, Kano metropolis, waste composition, urban governance.