Waste-to-energy conversion methods and implementation feasibility in Jos, Nigeria – A review

Population growth in Jos has outpaced the capacity of existing waste management systems. This has institutionalised open dumping as the predominant disposal method. This inadequacy has intensified environmental degradation and public health risk. It underscores the urgent need for suitable waste management strategies and resource recovery option. This review aims to assess different waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies – their operation, benefits and constraints, evaluate the current MSW management practice in Jos and identify barriers to local implementation of WtE. Relevant literature and secondary data were systematically reviewed to analyse waste composition, generation rates and previous WtE studies. Findings reveal limited and inconsistent data on waste characteristics, with some studies constrained by narrow spatial coverage and poor methodological design. Nonetheless, food and organic waste dominate the waste stream (approximately 29.2% and 36.9% respectively), yielding a biodegradable fraction of 50.7 - 65.2%, followed by plastic/polythene components (approximately 6.77 – 13.6%). These characteristics demonstrate strong potential for energy recovery through thermal and biological conversion processes. The study concludes that integrating WtE technologies could enhance waste management efficiency, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen energy security in Jos.