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Tag: LAWMA

  • Foundation begins yearly support for essential workers, heads to UN women’s conference

    Foundation begins yearly support for essential workers, heads to UN women’s conference

    The Louis Awode Foundation (LAF) has launched a yearly outreach programme to support essential workers in Lagos, beginning with female officials of the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA).

    The foundation at the weekend distributed consumables to women working in LAWMA’s Waste Collection and Sanitation Department in Surulere, Lagos, under its mobile outreach initiative tagged “Touching Lives 1.0.”

    LAF said the initiative, which will now run annually, is designed to support workers engaged in physically demanding but often overlooked public service roles.

    Some beneficiaries described the intervention as timely, noting that it acknowledged the importance of their work, which is frequently carried out under difficult conditions. They said the support affirmed their contribution to environmental hygiene and public health in the state.

    Founder of the foundation, Louis Awode, said the focus on female LAWMA workers was deliberate, given the critical role they play in maintaining cleanliness and public safety across Lagos.

    “These women begin work very early each day and are central to keeping the city clean and safe. Despite the physical strain and health risks involved, their contribution to public health and urban living is rarely recognised,” Awode said.

    Waste collection work, he noted, involves long hours of walking and handling potentially hazardous materials, exposing workers to fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and injuries. Many sanitation workers also face economic pressures arising from low or irregular income and limited access to benefits.

    One of the beneficiaries, a road cleaner who has worked with LAWMA for 16 years, said she joined the agency after relocating to Lagos in search of stable employment.

    “I was looking for work and was referred to LAWMA. It has not been easy, but the job has helped me support myself,” she said.

    Another beneficiary, Mrs Titilayo, thanked the foundation for the gesture, describing it as meaningful support for workers whose efforts are often unnoticed.

    Established in 2025, the Louis Awode Foundation focuses on education, community development, empowerment, and social impact. Its interventions include scholarships, mentorship, digital skills training, and vocational support for underprivileged students, first-generation graduates, women, youths, and persons with disabilities.

    Awode said the outreach aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those addressing poverty reduction and sustainable cities.

    A volunteer and marketing lead for the foundation, Taiwo Abdulai, said the programme reflects the importance of compassion and shared responsibility.

    “Small acts of support can make a meaningful difference, especially when they affirm dignity and shared humanity,” she said.

    The outreach comes as the foundation prepares to participate in the 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York, United States.

    LAF leadership said the invitation to the global forum was received with a sense of purpose and a renewed commitment to delivering measurable impact.

    “We see this engagement as an opportunity to advance inclusive economic justice, women’s empowerment, and youth-driven solutions on a global platform,” the foundation said.

    With the theme “Future of Work, the Future of Justice: Strengthening Legal Pathways to Women’s Economic Empowerment,” LAF said its participation in the CSW70 side event aligns with its mission to amplify underserved voices, influence policy discussions, and contribute community-based perspectives to shaping equitable futures of work and justice.

    The foundation added that the Touching Lives Programme will remain a yearly engagement, with plans to empower groups of dedicated citizens across Nigeria who contribute significantly to the country’s economic and social well-being.

  • Bus crushes sweeper to death in Lagos

    Bus crushes sweeper to death in Lagos

    Tragedy struck on Meran Road, inward Iyana Ekoro axis of Lagos, on Saturday as a female operative of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) was crushed to death by a commercial bus while carrying out routine sanitation duties.

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed that the victim was hit by a blue Ford commercial bus loaded with bottled and canned beverages, with registration number BDG 495 YH.

    According to LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, Preliminary findings revealed that the bus was being recklessly and unlawfully reversed on the expressway when it rammed into the unsuspecting sweeper. 

    The impact, particularly to the victim’s head, was severe and resulted in instant death.

    He said, “LASTMA Officers on active traffic surveillance duties around the Meiran axis swiftly mobilised to the scene upon receipt of the distress report. It was discovered that the driver had absconded from the crash site in a desperate attempt to evade accountability. Demonstrating exceptional alertness and professionalism, the officers immediately pursued the fleeing vehicle, successfully apprehended the driver and escorted him and his vehicle back to the scene of the incident.”

    He further stated that the driver and the implicated vehicle were later handed over to officers of the Meiran Police Division for further investigation and prosecution in line with existing laws. 

    “The remains of the deceased were respectfully evacuated from the scene by LAWMA officials using an official LAWMA vehicle for further necessary procedures,” he said. 

    The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sorrow over tragic and avoidable loss of an innocent life, describing the occurrence as both distressing and preventable.

    He extended condolences to the bereaved family, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased, praying for strength to bear the loss.

    Bakare-Oki condemned the act of reversing on an expressway, describing it as a serious traffic offence and a clear violation of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018. 

    He warned motorists against reckless and unlawful driving habits that continue to claim innocent lives.

    The LASTMA boss reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to traffic safety enforcement and the protection of lives on Lagos roads, while commending the vigilance and professionalism of the officers involved in apprehending the fleeing driver and ensuring justice.

  • LAWMA’s new playbook on environmental offences

    LAWMA’s new playbook on environmental offences

    • By Muyiwa Gbadegesin

    In May, a short video clip sparked public outrage: a driver pulled up on the Alapere Link Bridge, opened the boot of his car, and tipped household refuse onto the carriageway before driving off. Within hours, our enforcement teams, working with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC/KAI), identified and arrested the suspect.

    By May 22–23, the Environmental and Special Offences Court sitting in Oshodi had ordered his remand at Kirikiri Correctional Centre, with the case adjourned for further hearing. The message was clear: indiscriminate dumping has consequences in Lagos.

    That incident was not a one-off. In the weeks leading up to the arrest, we had publicly appealed for information and even offered a modest reward to help identify a serial dumper operating on the same bridge—an appeal supported by surveillance from field officers and tips from nearby traders. Community vigilance is not a slogan; it is the difference between a video that trends for a day and an arrest that deters repeat behaviour.

    As Managing Director of LAWMA, I view enforcement through the lens of Lagos’s geography and exposure. We are a heavily populated, low-lying coastal state where rainfall can be intense and tidal influence is real. A bag of refuse tossed into a drain in Ketu does not disappear; it blocks culverts, exacerbates flooding, pushes contaminated water into homes and markets, and sends plastics and organics down our canals into the lagoons and the Atlantic.

    Illegal dumping raises vector-borne disease risks, degrades fisheries and recreation, and imposes real economic costs on traders, commuters, and households after every downpour. This is why enforcement is integral to our waste-management system: it protects public health, climate resilience, and everyday livelihoods.

    Over the past year, we have moved from episodic crackdowns to a standing, intelligence-led model that couples quick prosecution with community vigilance. In September, our legal department filed 10 new matters against more than 25 individuals and business entities, acting on intelligence from private surveillance teams, estate associations and residents, and LAGESC across Egbeda, Ayobo, Ketu, Alimosho, Lekki, and Iyana Ipaja. 

    During the same review period, the Environmental and Special Offences Courts delivered judgments in over 80 environmental cases, imposing penalties totalling N15,090,000. Defaulters who could not pay received community service or were remanded at the appropriate correctional facilities—real consequences that raise the cost of non-compliance.

    The pipeline is steady and transparent. From September 2024 to September 2025, LAWMA instituted 155 environmental-offence matters, concluded 82, and is prosecuting 46 ongoing trials, with 27 fresh summonses awaiting judicial endorsement. These are not isolated figures; they describe a system moving consistently from evidence to consequence.

    The offences we encounter most frequently are straightforward but deeply harmful: failure to patronise accredited PSP operators; transportation of waste through unauthorised channels; dumping in drains, canals, and other unapproved locations; and failure to provide proper on-site storage.

    These behaviours are illegal under the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017—among others, sections 79, 81, 85, 86, 88, 109, 118(1), 140, 144, and 169(1)(b)—because they place the many at risk for the convenience of a few.

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    Our operating philosophy is simple: enforcement works best when it is people-powered, preventive, and fair. We are strengthening multi-level intelligence gathering with estate and resident committees that monitor and report violations; encouraging whistle-blowers to share real-time, verifiable tips; and coordinating closely with LAGESC and the Ministry of Justice so that credible cases move quickly from arrest to prosecution.

     We are also restoring the everyday presence of Environmental Health Officers—the “wole-wole”—whose inspections and guidance help stop problems before they escalate. This is how we make enforcement less about surprise raids and more about consistent standards that everyone understands.

     The stakes are high in a coastal megacity. A single blocked culvert can back up storm water across multiple streets; night-time tipping into canals travels downstream into wetlands and beaches; informal haulage scatters refuse along corridors that serve schools and markets.

    By raising the cost of environmental offences through fines, community service, and, where necessary, custodial sentences, we keep drains clear, canals flowing, and neighbourhoods safer when the clouds open. The Alapere case shows what this looks like in practice: credible surveillance, swift arrest, and an unambiguous judicial response.

    Our message to residents and businesses is direct. Patronise your assigned PSP operator and keep proper storage on your premises. Do not use informal or unauthorised haulers; they break the chain of accountability and often end up dumping in places that endanger your neighbours.

    We all need to change our attitude to environmental issues. The earth, for now, is our home. It is where we live, breathe, eat, raise our children, etc. Therefore, we cannot afford to destroy the environment because our whole essence depends on it.

    Consequently, when we imbibe positive attitudinal change towards the environment, we are sure of living free of any pollutants or hazards that we might introduce into our environment through human-induced activities.

    Protecting the environment allows future generations of human beings to grow and live without having to deal with anything we have done to contaminate the environment in which we do live and they will live. Protecting the environment is, without doubt, the best way to protect ourselves against diseases and other harmful environmental hazards.

    Traditionally, talks on environmental protection often centre on the role of government, legislation, and law enforcement. However, environmental protection ought to be the duty of all the people and not simply that of the government.

    Therefore, we all need to embrace positive attitude towards the environment. Parks should not be turned into market places, toilets, refuse dumps or places where animals graze. Failure to control animals or allowing  their defecation or engaging in an unhygienic use of fountains, pools or water in the parks, gardens and open spaces would be counter-productive and as such must be discouraged.

    With natural disasters occurring across the world, as a result of the abuse of the environment, this is the time for everyone to rethink their attitude to the environment. As previously stated, it is whatever we give to the environment that it gives back to us. Community leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, NGOs, and other stakeholders should work in partnership with the state government to ensure that current gains in the sector are sustained. It is only in doing this that the state government’s massive investment in protecting the environment would not be a waste.

    If you see indiscriminate dumping or suspicious waste movement, report it. Credible, verifiable information shortens response times and strengthens prosecutions, making enforcement fairer and more effective for everyone.

    • Dr. Gbadegesin is Managing Director, LAWMA, Ijora, Lagos.
  • Ashcorp Group, LAWMA partner on plastic recycling for World Environment Day

    Ashcorp Group, LAWMA partner on plastic recycling for World Environment Day

    Ashcorp Group, a leading global fashion conglomerate, marked this year’s World Environment Day with a plastic recycling initiative in Lagos. In collaboration with the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the Group’s Nigerian associates led efforts to tackle plastic pollution in the city.

    The initiative, which reflects this year’s theme, “Putting an End to Plastic Pollution,” focused on a clean-up exercise in high-waste areas and the donation of waste bins to communities that generate large amounts of refuse. The activity brought together Ashcorp staff, volunteers and LAWMA officials to encourage better waste management and to promote a cleaner, safer environment.

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    Speaking about the activation, Richard Alade, CSR Manager at Ashcorp, said, “We know plastic pollution is a growing concern for many communities, and we wanted to do something practical to support change. This is part of our broader commitment to responsible business and to being more mindful of how we impact the environment around us.”

    The clean-up was carried out in partnership with LAWMA, which helped identify the areas most in need of intervention. Ashcorp also provided durable recycling bins to support ongoing waste collection efforts in those zones, to encourage long-term community responsibility.

    Ashcorp continues to explore ways to embed environmental awareness into its operations and will continue to take meaningful steps in support of sustainability.

  • LAWMA urges residents to embrace proper waste management  

    LAWMA urges residents to embrace proper waste management  

    The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has urged residents to embrace proper waste management to ensure a clean and healthy environment during and after the Eid Kabir celebration.

    The Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, made the call in a statement in Lagos.

    Gbadegesin assured residents that extensive provisions had been made to handle the anticipated increase in waste generation throughout the Sallah period.

    He noted that waste management services would be provided across all designated routes, ensuring seamless evacuation of refuse in every part of the city.

    “Eid-el-Kabir is a season of joy, gratitude, and communal harmony. While residents celebrate with their families and loved ones, we must all remain mindful of our civic duties, especially in relation to the environment.

    “Proper handling and disposal of animal waste, food remnants, and packaging materials are non-negotiable if we are to maintain the standards of hygiene we all desire,” Gbadegesin said.

    He said LAWMA officials and enforcement teams would be monitoring field operations and waste disposal activities around the metropolis to ensure compliance with best practices during and after the festivities.

    Gbadegesin appealed to residents to avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the road medians, drainage channels, and open spaces, stressing that such actions compromise public health and would attract penalties.

    He urged butchers and livestock dealers to make use of approved slaughter facilities across the state to minimise contamination and maintain sanitary standards in line with public health regulations.

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    While wishing the Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyful celebration, Gbadegesin reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to maintaining environmental cleanliness, not just during festive periods but throughout the year.

    He appealed to Lagos residents to support the authority’s efforts by bagging their waste properly, containerising and ensuring timely evacuation through assigned PSP operators.

    In a related development, LAWMA has joined its counterparts across the globe to commemorate the 2025 World Environment Day, marked every June 5.

    “This year’s theme, “Putting an End to Plastic Pollution,” places emphasis on the urgent need to save the environment from the dangers of plastic pollution,” Gbadegesin said.

    He noted that the theme resonated deeply with the agency’s ongoing mission to transform Lagos into a cleaner and healthier city, by tackling the menace of plastic pollution.

    Gbadegesin added that environmental restoration was not a one-time event but a sustained process with individual choices and community-based action.

    He said LAWMA had commenced a series of advocacy and clean-up initiatives in collaboration with environment stakeholders, schools, and community-based organisations.

    He explained that the advocacy was aimed at encouraging environmental ownership at the grassroots level.

    Gbadegesin called on market associations, religious leaders, and neighborhood groups, to help educate their members on how small daily actions, such as clearing gutters, separating recyclables, or discouraging street dumping, could lead to meaningful and positive long-term ecological impact.

    He noted that the World Environment Day 2025 offered an opportunity for every Lagos resident to recommit to building a healthier and more sustainable future.

    He urged all stakeholders to reflect on the consequences of environmental neglect and join hands with government agencies to restore and protect the ecosystem that sustains lives and livelihoods in the state. (NAN)

  • Lagos empowers youths for job opportunities in waste management

    Lagos empowers youths for job opportunities in waste management

    Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) is driving an innovative recycling circular economy that will raise a new generation of entrepreneurs and environmental stewards.

    LAWMA’s Chief Executive, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, who highlighted this as one of the crucial initiatives to be undertaken by the agency to underscore its commitment to a sustainable and cleaner Lagos, noted that the strategic shift was unlocking a wealth of job opportunities and fostering a sustainable circular economy, promising a healthier and more prosperous future for Lagosians.

    Gbadegesin said the participation of Lagos’ vibrant young population ‘’is paramount” to the long-term success of LAWMA’s vision.

    “The Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) we have forged are not exclusively reserved for large, established international corporations. We are seeking out and providing robust support to young Nigerian entrepreneurs, who are brimming with innovative ideas.”

    An example, he cited, was the one involving Green Deal Company, a promising start-up.

    According to him, the venture is establishing a state-of-the-art recycling plant at Abule Egba landfill site, focusing on converting specific types of plastics into high-value industrial oil.

    The technical partnership is based on the UK-based firm, experience and success of its existing operation in Mexico.

    “This is a powerful testament to the ingenuity and immense potential that reside within our young people. We also have a youth-led innovation black soldier fly facility, focused on converting organic waste into valuable resources. It is also spearheaded by a dynamic team of young Nigerians,” he said.

    To further empower budding entrepreneurs and start-ups, he says LAWMA is set to launch a deal book later this year. ‘’The publication will outline the diverse array of opportunities within the waste management sector.

    ‘’It will provide a detailed base map identifying strategically-suitable locations for various recycling ventures.

    ‘’It is under development and will be readily accessible online. The invaluable information will empower interested individuals and budding start-ups to identify promising opportunities and connect directly with LAWMA.”

    Gbadegesin said government was committed to fostering a level playing field, ensuring that all aspiring entrepreneurs had a fair chance to contribute.

    He pledged an open-door policy, offering maximum support with minimum bureaucratic encumbrance to truly promising initiatives.

    “My personal motivation is deeply rooted in a desire to leave a tangible and lasting positive legacy. I am determined to be an integral part of the solution, and empowering our young, driven individuals is crucial to achieving that transformative change.”

    According to him, instilling waste separation and recycling habits in young minds is a fundamental pillar of LAWMA’s long-term environmental sustainability strategy.

    He said: “LAWMA is collaborating with the governor’s wife on her impactful ‘Boy Child Programme’, which includes visits to recycling facilities for first-hand educational experience.

    ‘’The LAWMA Academy boasts a dedicated team that regularly visits primary and secondary schools, conducting engaging advocacy sessions and distributing informative educational materials to cultivate a culture of environmental responsibility from a young age.

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    ‘’A dynamic monthly internship programme at the LAWMA Academy provides invaluable practical experience for undergraduate and graduate students. Their projects have yielded remarkable and creative outcomes such as artwork crafted from discarded tyres, textile waste, and PET bottles, with even picture frames ingeniously made from discarded bicycle tyres.

    We are also fostering a strong network of alumni from the LAWMA Academy, bringing them together as a vibrant youth group. Many alumni are now assuming leadership roles within their communities, serving as powerful advocates for sustainable waste management practices.”

    Beyond empowering start-ups, he said LAWMA was forging strategic alliances with larger organisations both within Nigeria and on the global stage, to amplify the impact of its circular economy initiatives.

    He mentioned the partnership with Lafarge. He explained that officials from the agency recently visited Lafarge’s plant in Ogun State, witnessing first-hand how the company had ingeniously retrofitted its cement kilns to utilise non-recyclable combustible waste as a valuable fuel source.

    The innovative approach, he says, holds particular significance for challenging waste materials such as pure water sachets and various flexible packaging wrappers, which are generated in substantial volumes in Lagos and pose challenges for conventional recycling processes.

    LAWMA, he continued, had formalised an MoU with Lafarge, allocating designated space at landfill sites at Olusosun and Solous in Igando.

    “Lafarge is commencing building of facilities dedicated to collecting these currently non-recyclable materials, including textile waste and certain organic matter such as weeds. These materials, when carefully incinerated within the high-temperature environment of the cement kiln, become a valuable alternative fuel, with the resulting cement production process remaining environmentally-sound.’’

    Gbadegesin highlighted Lafarge’s commitment to environmentally responsible strategy, noting their international presence and dedication to continuing the groundbreaking approach.

    “This partnership serves as a powerful illustration of how we are actively engaging with established industry leaders to develop practical and sustainable solutions for even the most challenging waste streams,” he said.

    In recognition of health risks associated with waste management, he said LAWMA placed paramount importance on the well-being of its workforce.

    Said he: “A dedicated and robust Health and Safety department has been established, expanding beyond traditional medical services. Regular and comprehensive on-site training programmes are conducted for all personnel, from landfill workers to street sweepers. LAWMA is deeply committed to providing adequate and high-quality Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), continuously striving for enhancement in its provision and utilisation.

    ‘’The majority of LAWMA’s headquarters and operational workshop workers are enrolled in the Ilera Eko Health Plan, ensuring access to quality health care.

    ‘’LAWMA is extending this health coverage to street sweepers, who, while not directly employed by LAWMA, are recognised for their indispensable contribution to the city’s cleanliness.

    ‘’Their biodata is being captured through the Lagos State Resident Registration Agency, and they are in the process of being enrolled in a comprehensive health card scheme, with an ambitious initial goal of enrolling up to 5,000 sweepers by the end of the current quarter and extending coverage to all 16,000 by the close of the year.”

  • How we’re creating livelihoods for people through waste collection

    How we’re creating livelihoods for people through waste collection

    Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). He shares his blueprint for transforming Lagos into a success story in the circular economy with Assistant Editor Okwy Iroegbu Chikezie. 

    What were the initial challenges you encountered when you assumed office as the CEO of LAWMA? 

    When we came on board as part of the Sanwo-Olu administration, we met a thriving legacy, a fast-growing developmental pace of Lagos. More than 20 years of development since 1999. There are a lot of success stories, a testament to the state’s resilience and drive. However, amidst this, the challenges inherent in managing the waste generated by such a burgeoning population became immediately apparent.

    We focused on health and the environment in the two months we used for the transition programme. Fortunately, I was the team lead for the Health and Environment subcommittee under the THEMES agenda. This put me in a vantage point to trace the historical evolution of waste management practices in Lagos. It became unequivocally clear that the foundational systems established some time ago by the past Tinubu administration were long overdue for an upgrade.  A Private Sector Participation (PSP) system involving 428 dedicated PSP operators serving the diverse needs of over 20 million residents and businesses across the state.

    While this model played a significant role, the increasing obsolescence of equipment, compounded by the volatile economic landscape and the escalating costs of essential resources such as diesel, placed considerable strain on their operations. Regrettably, this has manifested in instances of waste escaping into public spaces, a challenge that LAWMA has had to manage.

    But most importantly, one that resonates deeply with the progressive vision of His Excellency, the Governor, Baba Jide Sanwo-Olu, is the imperative to wholeheartedly embrace a circular economy.  The reality is that the public will always generate waste. Waste generation is a byproduct of human activity. We could choose the conventional approach of simply collecting, transporting, and ultimately disposing of waste in designated dumpsites or adopt the circular economy approach that offers a transformative alternative, prioritising the reduction of waste at its very source and maximising the potential for recycling and reuse. This is the guiding principle that now shapes our every initiative for Lagos.

    You’ve highlighted Governor Sanwo-Olu’s strong advocacy for a circular economy. Could you let us in on this robust vision for Lagos?

    The governor’s perspective, which it is my privilege to champion and implement, compels us to fundamentally reimagine our relationship with what we currently label as ‘waste.’ We firmly believe that this designation is a misnomer; these materials possess significant intrinsic value. We are already witnessing a burgeoning informal sector where many people are building sustainable livelihoods by collecting and channelling these so-called waste materials back into productive cycles, supplying industries that can repurpose them.

    Our ultimate aspiration as a state is to achieve a recycling rate of at least 90 per cent of the materials we currently consign to disposal. It is an ambitious benchmark, and we acknowledge that we have not yet reached this zenith, but it serves as the unwavering compass directing our strategic endeavours.

    The worldview is that within the confines of your own home, you have a separation of bins with waste categorised into as many as five distinct streams. This is a practice I adhere to. We have dedicated bins for paper and plastic materials, recognised for their economic value. Some people buy that now. Indiscriminate disposal of PET bottles is becoming increasingly rare. You don’t find people throwing PET bottles away again. The informal recycling network keenly understands its value, with international market prices potentially reaching around $350 per tonne. This economic incentive acts as a powerful catalyst for collection.

    We have one of our old facilities at Agege. We have entered a partnership with a private recycling enterprise, Werecyclers. They collect plastics from across the state. The partnership aims to address plastic waste concerns and contribute to environmental sustainability.

    Remarkably, some of the women who deliver these plastics to this facility are earning between ₦300,000 and ₦400,000 each month – a compelling illustration of the economic opportunities that lie within the realm of waste. Also, there are separate streams for metals, such as aluminium cans. People are also going for textile waste, an increasingly recognised resource with diverse applications. There is also interest in organic or food waste. Consider the example I shared earlier – the simple act of separating food waste at its point of generation within the home. We are in the process of licensing recycling companies that will not only collect this segregated organic waste but may also offer tangible incentives to those who bring in waste in return. That is our vision.

    You’ve articulated a compelling blueprint that offers hope of transformation. What tangible steps has LAWMA undertaken to translate this ambitious goal into concrete action in terms of marshalling a responsive waste-to-wealth revival programme?

    Our strategic approach is multifaceted, yet at its core lies the unwavering commitment to unlocking the vast potential of the sector for individuals and corporate operators.  Just as private enterprises currently manage the crucial tasks of waste collection and transportation, we envision them to become the driving force behind this transformative circular economy. Sustainability is paramount; if you show a man how to fish, he will learn to fish. By empowering individuals and businesses to recognise waste as a valuable resource and to establish profitable ventures around its recovery and processing, the government’s direct operational involvement will gradually transition towards a more facilitative and regulatory role.

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    Allow me to illustrate this with a recent, impactful example. In Oniru, the proprietor of a prominent restaurant situated within Twin Waters Mall reached out to me, expressing deep concern over a substantial surge in her monthly PSP bill, escalating from ₦400,000 to a staggering ₦1.4 million due to the sheer volume of food waste generated by her establishment. She runs a very successful food business. Upon inquiring about the composition of her waste stream, she confirmed that it was predominantly food scraps.

    I proposed connecting her with specialised composting enterprises. Her response was not only receptive but also indicated a willingness to pay for the efficient removal of this organic waste, recognising the significant reduction it would bring to her disposal costs.

    About the same time, somebody called me who has a land in Ikorodu and wants to establish a facility for producing compost and animal feed utilising organic waste. However, he faced logistical challenges in securing a consistent supply of raw materials.  Instead, he was going to establish an estate development on his land.  I encouraged him to forget the estate plan and fully embrace this circular economy opportunity.  I assured him of our unwavering support in establishing a reliable supply chain for organic waste. That was last year.

    Just two weeks ago, my team conducted a thorough inspection of his facility, and I am delighted to report that it is approximately 90 percent complete. The plant will have the capacity to process 50 tonnes of food waste daily, employing black soldier fly technology to produce animal feed and nutrient-rich compost for sale. We are facilitating for him a system whereby restaurants from high-organic-waste-generating areas such as Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Lekki Phase 1 will have their food waste collected and efficiently transported to his facility. This exemplifies the very essence of diverting organic waste, which constitutes a remarkable 50 per cent of Lagos’ total waste stream, from environmentally detrimental landfills towards the creation of tangible value, contributing to food security through the production of agricultural compost and livestock feed. This, in its purest form, is the circular economy in action.

    Similarly, within the realm of plastics, we are actively cultivating partnerships with the private sector.  When you read about our signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with private sector players, the aim is to instil the confidence that the government is ready to provide the necessary support for businesses to establish and flourish within the recycling sector.

    Recently, we launched a state-of-the-art recycling facility in Apapa,  supported by the Coca-Cola Foundation. Their goal is very simple: to collect and recycle all the PET bottles generated within the Apapa metropolis, processing them into new bottles within the confines of the same plant, and then exporting them if it is possible. Some businesses are exporting bottles. We plan that the whole of Apapa GRA will pull waste bottles to the place. There are other locations like that where we are looking to aggregate waste bottles. We are currently engaged in a comprehensive mapping exercise across the state to identify both existing and potential strategic locations for the establishment of diverse recycling facilities, creating an interconnected network for the efficient processing of various waste streams. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that only the truly residual waste, materials that currently lack viable recycling pathways, will ultimately require landfill disposal. Even for this remaining residue, we signed an MOU with   Zoomlion Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of the Ghana Waste Management company, JONSPONG, to treat solid and liquid waste in the state.

    We anticipate finalising the concession agreement this month, with the groundbreaking scheduled for July. Within an ambitious 18-month timeframe, they will construct advanced material recovery facilities at both the Olusosun and Solous sites. I mentioned that we are going to have a network of transfer loading stations that will receive compacted waste, which will then be efficiently transported in high-capacity trailers – each capable of carrying the equivalent of seven compactor loads – to newly developed, technologically advanced processing facilities located in Ikorodu and another identified location for Solous. These facilities will operate with the efficiency and environmental consciousness of modern factories, minimising any negative impact, and will incorporate sanitary landfills for the final, irreducible waste. Ultimately, this will pave the way for the long-awaited closure of the currently over-capacity Olusosun and Solous landfills.

    It certainly sounds like a multifaceted waste-to-wealth development blueprint. Could you outline the core elements that underpin these strategic plans and ongoing negotiations?

    Our waste-to-wealth strategy is predicated upon a series of interconnected and mutually reinforcing elements. We are promoting and facilitating the segregation of waste at its point of generation, whether within households or commercial establishments, into distinct streams such as paper and cardboard, plastics, metals, textiles, and organic waste. We are seeking out and providing support for private sector investment in the establishment and operation of recycling and processing facilities through transparent licensing processes, strategic MoUs, and the cultivation of a conducive and enabling business environment. We are developing a comprehensive network of advanced material recovery facilities, efficient transfer loading stations, and, ultimately, state-of-the-art modern waste treatment plants. We are also fostering connections between waste generators and the diverse array of recyclers and processors, thereby creating a robust and economically viable market for recovered materials. The other essential aspect is our comprehensive public sensitisation campaigns aimed at driving fundamental behavioural change, with a particular emphasis on instilling responsible waste management practices in the younger generation.

  • How I was manhandled by LAWMA officials, policemen, by ex-commissioner

    How I was manhandled by LAWMA officials, policemen, by ex-commissioner

    •Agency’s chief disagrees

    Former Commissioner for Information, Sports, Culture and Social Development in Ekiti State, Sir Kayode Otitoju, has relived his ordeal in the hands of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) officials and Ministry of the Environment in his Lekki, Lagos Island horticultural garden.

    Otitoju said he was manhandled and thrown into a van by policemen, who accompanied  the officials  while seeking clarification  over the invasion. 

     Otitoju, All Progressives Congress (APC) and fellow of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (FCILT), accused a LAWMA Director of Monitoring & Compliance, Mr. Jimmy Odukoya, of seizing his legally allocated property on Lekki Farms Avenue, Lekki Phase 1.

    Otitoju alleged he was unlawfully detained in a LAWMA van on May 9   and denied access to a property he has since 2001 been paying rent. 

    He said  trouble began on May 8  when  some  LAWMA officials stormed  the  garden, cut off the perimeter chain, and erected a LAWMA signpost indicating a takeover.

    A “sealed” sticker  signed by LAWMA’s Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, was affixed on the property, stating dates from July 9, 2025  to May 8, 2025, an anomaly Otitoju believes signals premeditation.

    The next morning  (May 9), upon noticing the signpost about 8:15 am, Otitoju said he pasted the 2025 land use charge bill and receipt on the gate as evidence of his ownership and tax compliance. 

    About 10:15 a.m., Otitoju said he received a call from his security personnel reporting that Odukoya, accompanied by policemen and  LAWMA officials  had entered the  property, removed the land use charge receipt and signage  and ordered his team to “ransack ” the premises.

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    They demolished a stainless steel bridge spanning an 18-metre-wide drainage canal, a structure Otitoju said he built in 2018 with  over  N5 million.

    The former commissioner  said when he arrived  on the scene, Odukoya instructed  the police and officials to  take him out of the property.

    His words: “When I asked him why, he replied that he had warned me never to enter ‘my own land’. He ordered policemen to throw me into their bus, instructing them to guard me like a criminal.

    “I was kept inside the bus until the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Environmental Services of Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Gaji Tajudeen, arrived with some private company officials.

    ‘’After issuing instructions, he left with his entourage. At that point, I expected Odukoya to release me from the bus, but instead, he directed the driver to take me to another site on Freedom Way, Lekki.

    ‘‘My driver was  following in my Mercedez Benz GL 450 SUV.

    But Dr Gbadegesin disagreed with Sir Otitoju.

    He said the location is a designated drainage setback in Lekki, not a private property.

    “He has been asked to vacate the place. I believe he only had a temporary permit to use the area as a garden. The structures he erected were illegal and have been demolished. You cannot build such structures on a drainage setback,” Gbadegesin said.

    He added that the state is carrying out a statewide exercise to remove structures obstructing drainage channels to mitigate flooding.

    “It is incorrect to say the land belongs to him. It is a drainage setback, and beyond gardening, there were reports of activities like animal slaughter, meat sales, barbecue, and beer sales. Waste was being dumped into the drainage, and this poses a health risk, including the potential for a cholera outbreak.’’

    In his reaction, Gaji Tajudeen, said he was not aware of the incident.  ‘’I was not in the country last week so, couldn’t have been in Lekki at the same time,’’ Tajudeen said. Otitoju was a usurper, he added. According to him, he should bring his allocation paper.

    Otitoju adds: “Throughout the ordeal, I remained in the bus. Odukoya ensured the permanent secretary never saw me. When their inspection ended about 11:45 a.m., I was driven back to the Lekki Farm, where I was initially ‘detained . For nearly two hours, I was held without water or ventilation, sandwiched between two policemen for no reason.” 

    Otitoju said he was eventually returned to the original farm location, still detained in the van, after the  inspection  ended  about 11:45 a.m.”

    He alleged of a plot of  land grab in collaboration with a private waste recycling firm, Alliance seeking to install machinery on the property under a  project name “Waste Free Lekki.”

    Backing his ownership claim, Otitoju said the land was officially allocated to him by the Lagos State Governor’s Office Lands Bureau on August 9, 2001, for horticultural use.

    The allocation letter  clearly designates the land as a “Road Setback Along Maroko–Epe Expressway, Lekki Scheme I, Eti-Osa Local Government.”

    He cited a 2020 letter of appreciation from the Ministry of Finance, signed by then Commissioner Dr. Rabiu Olowo, commending him for his prompt payment of land use charges.

    To resolve the conflict, Otitoju said he   reached out  to   Gbadegesin on April 9 via WhatsApp message , sharing full documentation of his land title, payment receipts, and a plea to remove the illegal   sticker.

     “I explained everything in detail after our phone conversation on April 7, but Gbadegeshin didn’t reply,” he said.

    Otitoju also questioned the legitimacy of the project signpost erected on his property.

    He pointed out that the address listed—“Foreshore Point, along Foreshore Road, off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1”—does not correspond with his Lekki Farms Avenue site, suggesting a deliberate attempt to mislead or misappropriate land.

    Definitely, LAWMA and I will have our days in court.

    Photos and records of the now-destroyed bridge and looted walkways have been documented as further evidence of vandalism, he added.

    Otitoju questioned why a law-abiding citizen, who has spent years maintaining a valuable horticultural property and paying taxes, should be subjected to what he described as “barbaric treatment.” “Why should I be punished by land grabbers under the cover of state officials?” he asked.

     Otitoju  called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State House of Assembly, and anti-corruption agencies toi investigate the matter.

     But Dr Gbadegesin disagreed with Sir Otitoju.

    He said that the contested location is a designated drainage setback in Lekki, not a private property.

    “He has been asked to vacate the place. I believe he only had a temporary permit to use the area as a garden. The structures he erected were illegal and have been demolished. You cannot build such structures on a drainage setback,” Gbadegesin said.

    He added that the Lagos State government is currently carrying out an ongoing statewide exercise to remove structures obstructing drainage channels in order to mitigate flooding.

    “It is incorrect to say the land belongs to him. It is a drainage setback, and beyond gardening, there were reports of activities like animal slaughtering, meat sales, barbecuing, and beer sales. Waste was being dumped directly into the drainage, which is in a terrible state and poses a public health risk, including the potential for a cholera outbreak.I

    In his reaction, Gaji Tajudeen said he was not aware of the incident.

    ‘’I was not in the country last week and so couldn’t have been in Lekki at the same time.’’

    But he said Otitoju was a usurper. According to him, he should bring his allocation paper.

    Demolition  in Lagos has been ongoing for several months, Gbadegeshin added.

  • Lagos street sweepers’ welfare a priority, says LAWMA

    Lagos street sweepers’ welfare a priority, says LAWMA

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin has reaffirmed the commitment of the agency to the welfare of street sweepers.

    According to him, street sweepers, who operate mainly as part-time employees under employees have access to various social programmes of the government.

    Gbadegesin described the person in a viral video which accused the agency of ill-treatment for sweepers, as a disgruntled former employee.

    Gbadegesin elucidated that the workers are not only accorded welfare benefits that accrue to government staff, besides regular minimum wage adjustments and access to health care, but there are also the targets of empowerment schemes designed to enhance their incomes. Currently, sweepers earn N40,000 for four hours of work daily, which, if scaled to full-time work, would exceed the national

    Speaking on a television programme, Gbadegesin said: “If they were full-time staff, at that rate they would be making N80,000 a month, which is N10,000 above the national minimum wage. So it’s untrue that we’re not, you know, that the government doesn’t care about them,” Gbadegesin stated. Still, the sweepers are being considered for support in pursuing other alternate vocations, after their day’s jobs, towards enhancing their incomes.

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    He further noted that, “the street-sweeping programme is a flagship initiative of LAWMA, and the government has consistently prioritised their welfare. We recently introduced health checkups, and upon discovering that some sweepers had vision problems, we arranged for free cataract surgeries.”

    Beyond wages, LAWMA is also implementing biometric registration for the sweepers through the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRA) to facilitate their access to health insurance (ILERA EKO) and other social support programmes. In addition, the support for boosting their livelihoods being explored by the agency includes the provision of tools for those engaged in businesses like hairdressing.

    In terms of the concerns expressed by the sweepers, the LAWMA boss acknowledged the possibility of their having issues with the vendor companies managing them, and he pledged continued investigation of any claims of their being shortchanged, as they have been doing.

    However, he urged the public to be aware of what might be driving some of these complaints that are increasing on social media, because “we’re moving into a political space now. This is two years to 2027. So you’re going to see a lot of this,” Gbadegesin stated. As such, the activities of naysayers should not be overlooked, particularly as we are entering into a political season in which discontent – as expressed in some videos – is being weaponised to discredit the government.

  • Lagos street sweepers’ welfare a priority, says LAWMA

    Lagos street sweepers’ welfare a priority, says LAWMA

    Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has recommitted to the welfare of street sweepers, its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has said.

     He also said street sweepers, who operate mainly as part-time employees, have access to various social programmes of the government.

    Gbadegesin was reacting to a viral video, where the agency was accused of ill-treating its sweepers, saying the person who made the comment is an angry former employee.

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    He said the workers are not only accorded welfare benefits that accrue to public staff servants, besides regular minimum wage adjustments and access to health care, but that they also benefit from government’s empowerment schemes to enhance their income. 

    Sweepers earn N40,000 for four hours of work daily, which, if scaled to full-time work, would exceed the national minimum wage. 

    Gbadegesin, who spoke on television, said: “If they were full-time staff, at that rate they would be making N80,000 a month, which is N10,000 above the national minimum wage. So, it’s untrue that we’re not, you know, that the government doesn’t care about them.’’