At the Waste to Energy Summit, themed “Driving Environmental Sustainability,” Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, outlined ambitious plans to overhaul the state’s waste management system. The summit, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, was organized by Rack Centre in partnership with the NYSC Community Development Service (CDS) and brought together key stakeholders to discuss sustainable waste management solutions.
Representing Wahab, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), stressed the urgent need for improved dumpsite management to mitigate environmental hazards. He highlighted the pressures faced by the Olusosun landfill due to rapid urban development and outlined LAWMA’s strategy to address these challenges through enhanced recycling and the development of composting and biogas plants.
Wahab’s vision includes decommissioning the Olusosun landfill and establishing waste-to-energy plants across the state. Dr. Gbadegesin announced that facilities would be set up at Epe, Badagry, and Olusosun, with ongoing exploration of alternative landfill options.
Dolapo Olaoluwa, the summit’s convener and a serving corps member, emphasized the event’s role in addressing waste management issues and contributing positively to the community. Mr. Adetayo Odusole of Rack Centre expressed enthusiasm for supporting the summit, aligning with the organization’s goal of achieving a sustainable environment through collective effort.
The summit also featured notable speakers including:
- Ezekiel Egboye, Founding Executive and Chief Operating Officer, Rack Centre
- Jide Onakoya, Chief Operating Officer, Elektron
- Professor Emmanuel O. Ogolo, Professor of Atmospheric Physics (represented)
- Dr. Victor Abimbola Onifade, Senior Lecturer of Urban and Regional Planning
- Olaide Ayodele-Taiwo, Assistant Chief Scientific Officer at NESREA
- Yetunde Baderinwa, NYSC State Coordinator, Lagos State
The event culminated in a panel discussion, where stakeholders and experts explored sustainable solutions for the state’s waste management challenges.
