Advocating Attitudinal Change to Waste Disposal and Environmental Health Promotion through Adult and Non-Formal Education in Nigeria

Abstract

Waste disposal issues in contemporary society are increasingly becoming global concerns, given the impact they have on the health and wealth of humankind. The corollary of this practice is the deleterious effect on the health and environment of people, which are fundamental to sound and productive citizenry. This study examined why people dispose waste indiscriminately; found out the different aspects of environmental sanitation programme in Ife Central Local Government Area; ascertained if residents were aware of the environmental problems that might emanate from improper waste disposal in Ife Central Local Government Area; and determined how change of attitude to waste disposal could be encouraged among the residents in Ife central Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria. Through a case study research design, the study purposively sampled 20 adult men and women form Ife Central Local Government Area. The participants were selected based on their relatively long period of stay in the area (a minimum of 15 years) and In-depth interview was used to elicit information from them. It was discovered that despite the fact that there were various environmental sanitation programmes in Ife-Central Local Government Area residents of the area still dumped refuse indiscriminately Equally, adequate waste disposal laws were not made, and when made, were not effectively enforced. The study concluded that within the context of adult education, with a view to promoting health among Nigerians, environmental education programmes could be harnessed to foster attitudinal change. Such changes would bring about proper, decent and cost-effective management of waste, and healthy and wealthy environment for all.