Lagos, Nigeria – March 21, 2025 – Key stakeholders in Lagos’ waste management and recycling ecosystem convened at the GTA Hotel, Ikeja, for an Informal Sector Stakeholders’ Engagement Workshop. The event, organised under the Green Bridge Project by the Circular Economy Innovation Partners (CEIP) in collaboration with the Association of Scraps and Waste Pickers of Lagos (ASWOL) and the Fair Plastic Alliance (FPA), aimed to strengthen the capacity of informal waste actors and advance their integration into formal systems.
Bringing together representatives from the Lagos State Government, non-governmental organisations, producer responsibility organisations, and waste pickers’ associations, the workshop underscored the need for collaboration between associations in the informal sector, branding and identity for the informal sector, and the need to identify the operational and aggregational model for the informal sector as critical factors in developing a thriving circular economy.
A Call for Recognition and Inclusion
Delivering the keynote address, Comrade Friday Oku, President of ASWOL, emphasised the essential role of waste pickers in the urban economy and called for their formal recognition in policy frameworks.
“We must shift the narrative and acknowledge their role as environmental protectors and economic contributors to the GDP,” he stated. “This is not just a conversation but a movement for change.”
Comrade Oku further highlighted the need for technology-driven solutions, such as mobile applications, to connect waste pickers directly with recyclers, thereby reducing exploitation by middlemen and ensuring fair wages.
Government Urges Self-Organization and Data-Driven Growth
In her remarks, Mrs. Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Climate Change and Circular Economy, urged informal sector participants to embrace structure and data driven operations to access more significant opportunities.
“Before government provides the policy framework you seek, you must first organise yourselves,” she emphasised. “The power to pivot is in your hands.”
She highlighted the health risks associated with waste collection and encouraged associations to take advantage of Lagos State’s expanding social health insurance policies.
The Green Bridge Project: A Roadmap for Integration
A key highlight of the workshop was the presentation on the Green Bridge Project, an initiative delivered by CEIP and partners to position the informal sector for integration into formal waste management systems and improve their livelihood. So far, the Green Bridge project has successfully:
● Engaged with and identified challenges of the informal sector in three regions in Ifako Ijaiye
Lagos.
● Identified clusters to join ASWOL, increasing their reach.
● Interviewed stakeholders to inform strategic direction for the project.
Looking ahead, the initiative plans to:
● Support the Development of a business plan template for ASWOL and, by extension the informal sector.
● Facilitate knowledge exchange with India, Argentina, and South African waste picker
associations.
● Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and health training.
● Establish a recordkeeping system for the informal sector to track collections and income.
● Facilitate knowledge exchange with India, Argentina, and South African waste picker
associations.
“This project is about building inclusive engagement. The private sector, government, and informal
workers must collaborate to establish a sustainable circular economy,” stated the project leads.
Panel Session: Addressing Structural Challenges
A dynamic panel session moderated by Tolulope Omoyeni, Lead Community Engagement, Research and Administration, Circular Economy Innovation Partnership and Project Lead, Green Bridge Project, featured ASWOL, FBRA, WAPAN, and LAWMA representatives. Discussions centred on integrating informal waste actors into structured systems, tackling exploitative practices, and creating an enabling environment for waste pickers.
The ASWOL Secretary, Mr. Abdulwahab Abdulmumuni highlighted unfair pricing tactics by buyers and financial demands from ‘agberos’ and estate authorities, which pose challenges to waste pickers’ operations.
“Are we all beggars in this country? We contribute to society by keeping the environment clean and employing others, yet we face constant harassment and disrespect,” he lamented.
Representing WAPAN, Mr Frank Adebisi who is the Lagos coordinator of the association emphasised the importance of dignity and education, noting that waste pickers are often arrested due to a lack of formal identification. FBRA’s Executive Secretary, Ms. Arese Onaghise, reiterated the importance of structure and consistency in attracting corporate support.
“We have donated equipment and set up collection centres, but progress has been slow without strong leadership and land access. If associations aren’t ready, opportunities may pass to more organised groups,” she cautioned.
LAWMA’s representative, Mr Bode Oresanwo, confirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting waste pickers but noted challenges in formalising them due to low cooperation and reluctance to register.
“We’ve trained thousands, but without formal identification, integration remains difficult,” he said.
Breakout Sessions: Transforming Dialogue into Action
Participants engaged in three working groups to develop actionable solutions:
- Branding and Identity Strategies – Proposed a uniform ID card system linked to a digital registry
in the respective Local Government Areas, among other recommendations.
- Strengthening Collaboration and Advocacy – Recommended joint advocacy visits to
policymakers. Also, a trade union recognised by the government for the informal sector was
recommended.
- Operational and Aggregation Models – Suggested zonal hubs to streamline collection processes
and improve monitoring.
“We’re not here to dictate solutions; we’re here to listen and build forward together,” a facilitator
emphasised.
Moving Forward: Unity and Leadership
The workshop concluded with a call for unity among associations, formal registration of members, and structured action plans aligned with the Green Bridge Project’s roadmap.
“Togetherness is key. ASWOL and WAPAN must collaborate, not compete,” said Ms. Onaghise. “If you don’t harness these opportunities now, others will.”
With growing support from the Lagos State Government, private sector players, and development organisations, the informal waste sector stands at a pivotal moment. The path forward lies in self-organisation, formalisation, and proactive leadership to drive sustainable impact in Lagos’ circular economy. Other participants included Dr. Femi Idowu, President, Lagos Recyclers Association (LAGRA), Mrs. Ibukun Faluyi, Executive Secretary, Ewaste Producer Responsibility Organization of Nigeria, Mr. Olugbenga Adebola, President, Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), Mr. Victor Okunola, General Secretary, Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN), Among others.
