Children, waste and well-being: A critical analysis of socio-environmental justice in almajirai solid waste management in Northern Nigerian Cities

Context: Whereas academic discourse on socio-environmental justice (SEJ) globally has focused on race, ethnicity and wealth, and gender inequalities, research on SEJ in relation to children, their well-being and waste management in Africa has remained neglected.This paper focuses on the Almajirai , children in the Islamic educational system, and critically examines SEJ in Almajirai involvement in the solid waste management (SWM) system of cities in northern Nigeria. Data Source and Method: The study is situated in the city of Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Mixed methods approach used for data collection included consultations with key stakeholders, ethnographic and field observations; key informant interviews (KIIs), questionnaire survey of 350 respondents sampled purposively, and a critical review of literature. Percentages were utilized for analysis of quantitative data while quotations and transcriptions were made from interviews. Findings: Findings indicate that while many Almajirai contribute to environmental well-being through collection, disposal and recycling of waste, they often suffer unbridled socio-environmental injustice in their quest for a livelihood and also for their perceived association with insecurity in northern Nigeria. Conclusion: In the light of the findings and the overarching juvenile-related sustainable development goals (SDGs) targets, the paper rethinks the role of Almajirai in SWM while articulating possible policy benefits of scaling up engagement with Almajirai in the post-2015 development era.