The circular life cycle of waste management, designed for waste to energy, can contribute substantially towards efficient waste management, a precursor for sustainable energy and food production. This study evaluates waste management knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) and identifies its usefulness for improving energy and food production. Surveys, interviews, and data analysis were employed to investigate current waste management scenarios, socio-cultural perceptions, and policy frameworks in Oleh, Nigeria. Factor analysis was deployed to reduce the multitude of attitudinal variables collected during surveys and interviews. The results of the analysis exposed waste management gaps in perception, principles, policy implementation, and waste-to-energy conversion. SWOT analysis was used to validate the identified factors based on significant strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that the current waste management practices portend. To bolster energy generation and enhance food security, a waste management model was proposed with recommendations of pathways promoting policy enhancements and community engagement strategies to foster a more efficient energy and food nexus.

Keywords: Waste Management, Factor Analysis, Social Attitudes, Community Engagement, Public Perception