Assessment of leachate contamination potential of landfills in Ibadan, Nigeria

Environmental pollution leads to poor health and has been a worrisome experience to humanity for the past few decades. This research was conducted to determine the pollution potential of landfill leachates (LFL) in Sub-Saharan Africa, using Ibadan as case study. Survey of landfills in the metropolis was undertaken; the two major active unlined landfills (Ajakanga and Awotan), were considered for this study. During sampling, eighteen parameters of interest were analyzed. The leachate pollution indices (LPI) of each landfill were calculated. The LPI of Awotan landfill is 17.55 while that of Ajakanga is 15.67. With the exceedances of the 7.378 standard LPI value, all landfills in the metropolis is recommended to be closed down in line with international best practices and new sanitary landfills set up in their stead. Based on the sub-LPI values obtained, biological treatment would be the most viable treatment option for the LFL produced. The findings from this study are applicable in landfill management in other countries within the African sub-region; thereby contributing to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).   Key words: Leachate pollution index, landfill, sustainable development goals, Ibadan, Nigeria, assessment.