The Lagos Circular Economy Hotspot 2023 (LCEH2023), an initiative of the Kingdom of The Netherlands to foster co-creation and highlight a transition towards a circular economy, will hold on July 26 and 27, the Lagos State Government has said.
Chairman of the LCEH2023 Technical Committee and Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Omobolaji Gaji, disclosed this at a news conference.
According to Gaji, the LCEH 2023 will highlight how the state is transitioning towards the circular economy, and how its businesses and citizens are co-creating innovations.
The theme, ‘Towards Circular and Resourceful Economy: The Future Lagos,’ will offer an opportunity to every Nigerian to discuss how to create ‘ a society that we want,’ he noted.
He said: “The initiative will allow Lagos to deepen the conversation as we build on our climate adaptation policy, our 30-year Lagos Development Plan, and the role of every stakeholder in building a sustainable city.”
Gaji recalled that a Technical Working Group on Circular Lagos was constituted in 2020, to drive the framework and develop a roadmap for the transition.
He added: “Since the roundtable, citizens and businesses have continued the conversation on how to utilise the waste and other resources in Lagos, with our Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) at the heart of this discussion, as well as our industries.
“We desire that the Lagos Circular Economy Hotspot will highlight the critical role the SMEs play in driving innovation, fostering sustainable solutions, and driving entrepreneurship.”
Gaji, who described Lagos as a sub-national at the forefront of creating development models for other states and cities in Africa to emulate, said: “Lagos bidded and won the right to host the first Circular Economy Hotspot in Africa. This laudable event has previously been hosted in Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Catalonia – Spain, Dublin, Ireland in April 2023.”
The Country Representative, Africa Circular Economy Network, (ACEN)/Board Member Circular Economy Innovation Partnership (CELP), Abayomi Magbagbeola, explained that the shift to a circular economy would help Lagos tackle challenges such as pollution, unemployment and resource scarcity.
“With our circular economy strategy, we aim to create an ecosystem where waste is seen as a resource, not as a problem. Part of our responsibility is to foster a sustainable society where everyone has a role to play to ensure a safer Lagos.
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“We must have the mindset that change begins with us, just as hotspot waves start inward and spread outward. We need to ensure that our resources are judiciously used. This will not only enhance our environmental performance but also generate new business opportunities and jobs,” he said.
The Chapter Lead, Africa Circular Economy Network Nigeria, Mrs. Kemi Ajakaiye, described the #LCEH2023 initiative as the first of its kind in West Africa, with the aim to transition from a linear ‘take-make-waste’ economy to a circular ‘reduce-reuse-recycle’ economy.
“This ambitious project plans to encompass all sectors of the Lagos economy, including manufacturing, agriculture, energy, and waste management”, she added.