Commonwealth Home Benefit Essay
Improper waste treatment and indiscriminate waste disposal into the environment are major constraining factors frustrating sustainable development of the Nigerian environmental sector. The discharge of petroleum wastes into water bodies in the Niger Delta region, release of industrial effluents into river Kaduna in the north and the lack of central waste treatment plants are few examples of these issues. Consequently, these result in environmental pollution which threatens the health and wellbeing of the Nigerian populace. In an attempt to address her environmental problems, the Nigerian government established several waste management agencies, and made huge investments in the development of conventional but unsustainable waste treatment technologies (i.e. incineration and land filling) which have failed to yield much anticipated results. However, without the adoption of indigenous, sustainable waste treatment technologies, such as reuse and recycle, for waste management, Nigeria risks failing in her achievement of the sustainable development goals of ensuring and promoting a healthy live for its citizens, as well as the conservation and sustainable use of environmental resources for sustainable development by 2030.
An MSc in Environmental Management (Conservation) at the University of Stirling will consolidate my understanding on prior knowledge in waste treatment, equip me with the research knowledge and environmental skill sets in sustainable waste treatment technologies, which are required to address highlighted national environmental issues.
Upon returning to Nigeria, I will utilize my postgraduate skills and knowledge in a Federal Waste Management Agency by working as an environmental consultant, to investigate low-cost waste treatment methods for materials and energy production while checking domestic and industrial wastes released into the environment. The study will result in reductions in waste treatment costs and environmental contaminations, and material and energy conservation; the implementation of these results will span a five-year period. The potential benefits of the assessment for the Nigerian government will be increased wealth (for infrastructural development, poverty reduction, and employment creation), and solution to national energy needs. Nigerian citizens will benefit from living in a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment, which is in accordance with the Department for International Development (DFID) objective of creating a favorable world for people in developing countries.
Furthermore, I will offer consultancy roles to government regulatory bodies on pressing environmental problems. Specifically, I will work with the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) in devising effective ways of curbing improper waste disposal into the environment in rural and urban communities, and planning strategies for impactful environmental awareness. I am confident that acquiring the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship will avail me the opportunity to champion this course of environmental sustainability.
An Increase in nationally-generated revenue, less environmental contamination, and significant reduction in the carbon footprints of domestic and industrial operations, are ways in which the impact of my works might be measured. In addition, I shall send quarterly progress reports, detailing the implementation level of my work to the Commonwealth Scholarship Council.
