Solid waste management remains a pressing environmental and public health challenge in Nigeria, particularly in semi-urban and rural communities such as Daura Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State. This study seeks to assess how solid waste management practices or the lack thereof affect the living standards of residents in Daura LGA. Despite various institutional and policy efforts at both national and state levels, waste management systems remain grossly inadequate, with inefficient waste collection, poor disposal infrastructure, and weak enforcement mechanisms being commonplace. The implications of such shortcomings include frequent environmental pollution, poor sanitation, blocked drainage systems, increased prevalence of communicable diseases, and overall reduction in the quality of life. By examining the relationship between waste management practices and socio-economic well-being in Daura, this study aims to provide evidence-based insights that can guide sustainable policy and community-driven interventions.

The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Data will be gathered through household surveys, key informant interviews, and direct observation across selected wards in Daura LGA. Analytical tools such as descriptive statistics, inferential analysis, and thematic content analysis will be employed to assess current waste handling practices, environmental and health impacts, and residents’ perceptions of the influence of waste management on their livelihoods. Grounded in the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework and Environmental Health Theory, the study will draw from a well-established body of empirical literature while addressing a specific gap concerning the intersection of waste disposal and living standards in smaller urban settlements. Expected outcomes include evidence of a significant link between poor waste management and deteriorating living standards, alongside practical recommendations for improving waste governance, community participation, infrastructure investment, and policy enforcement. The results will be valuable to policymakers, environmental agencies, local authorities, and development partners working toward cleaner and healthier communities in Katsina State and beyond.