Evaluation of E-Waste Management Practices for Retired Telecommunications Equipment in the North Central Zone

The rapid technology refresh cycles in the telecommunications industry generate substantial volumes of electronic waste from retired network equipment, and the environmental and public health implications of improper disposal make e-waste management a professional responsibility for operators and regulators. This study evaluates e-waste management practices for retired telecommunications equipment in the North Central geopolitical zone, covering Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau States and the Federal Capital Territory. A professional assessment combining structured interviews with twenty telecommunications technical managers and fifteen e-waste disposal contractors, field observation at three network equipment retirement facilities, and review of NCC and NESREA regulatory documentation was conducted. Results indicate that only 29% of surveyed operators in the zone had formal documented e-waste management plans aligned with NESREA guidelines. Informal resale of retired equipment to second-hand electronics markets in Minna and Abuja was the predominant disposal pathway, with uncontrolled downstream handling raising significant hazardous material exposure concerns. Lead and mercury contamination risks from battery disposal were poorly managed across all surveyed disposal contractors. International e-waste export provisions under the Basel Convention were known to only 18% of telecommunications technical managers. Recommendations include mandatory NCC e-waste management plan requirements as license conditions, certification requirements for telecommunications e-waste contractors, investment in formal certified recycling facility development in the zone, and a producer responsibility scheme for equipment manufacturers operating in Nigeria. Keywords: e-waste management, telecommunications equipment, North Central Nigeria, NESREA, recycling.