Introduction...
E-waste in Nigeria: Waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) also known as e-waste generated locally or imported from other countries remain piled or are burned in open dumpsites in a number of cities in Nigeria, particularly Lagos State, constituting harm to the environment and humans exposed to this waste. The outcome is that e-waste, if improperly disposed, can release dangerous substances in the environment and affect the health of local communities living in its vicinity. E-waste contains toxic substances such as lead, cadmium, mercury or brominated flame retardants. But e-waste is also a resource because some of these substances also have valuable parts, which could be recycled and re-used providing economic opportunities.
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency in collaboration with Environmental Law Research Institute and the Basel Convention Regional Coordinating Centre for Africa is hosting the Eko E-waste Summit in Lagos State, Nigeria. The aim of the Summit on Regulation and Management of e-waste is enhance awareness on the emerging threats of e-waste, interface initiatives on the Management of e-waste in Nigeria and at the same time update stakeholders on emerging best practices.
General Information About Lagos State
Lagos is the most populous conurbation in Nigeria with 14million inhabitants at the 2006 census. It is the most populous in Africa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa (7th fastest in the world), immediately following Bamako. Formerly the capital of Nigeria, Lagos is a huge metropolis which originated on islands separated by creeks, such as Lagos Island, that fringe the southwest mouth of Lagos Lagoon, protected from the Atlantic Ocean by long sand spits such as Bar Beach which stretch up to 100 km east and west of the mouth. From the beginning, Lagos has spread on the mainland west of the lagoon and the conurbation, including Ikeja and Agege, now reaches more than 40 km north-west of Lagos Island. The city is the economic and financial capital of Nigeria.
Lagos is Nigeria's most prosperous city, and much of the nation's wealth and economic activity are concentrated here. Most commercial and financial business are transacted at the central business district situated in the island. This is also where most of the country's commercial banks and financial institutions and major corporations are headquartered. Lagos has one of the highest standards of living as compared to other cities in Nigeria as well as in Africa.