Lagosians are being urged to change how they see waste, not as something to throw away, but as a powerful tool for income and environmental sustainability.
This message came from the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, during an exclusive chat with journalists at the agency’s headquarters in Ijora-Olopa.
According to Dr. Gbadegesin, the future of Lagos’ waste management lies in embracing a circular economy, where reducing, reusing, and recycling become the new normal.
“Waste is not a burden, it’s a resource,” he emphasized. “We want Lagos residents to see plastic bottles, paper, and even used textiles as opportunities. There are people already making a living off collecting and selling recyclables. That’s the direction we want everyone to move in.”
LAWMA has long promoted source separation, encouraging households to sort waste into general and recyclable categories — and is now taking bold steps to drive deeper adoption. The agency’s plan includes establishing modern recycling hubs in Yaba schools and introducing Transfer Loading Stations (TLS) to replace major landfills like Olusosun and Solous, which will be transformed into Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs).
Gbadegesin also unveiled LAWMA’s upcoming “deal book”, a comprehensive guide that will showcase investment and job opportunities in the waste sector, making it easier for individuals and companies to tap into the economic value of recycling.
In collaboration with startups like GreenDeall, the agency is working on projects that convert plastics into industrial oil, adding further value to materials often ignored.
“We’re looking at waste as a driver of industrial transformation,” he said.
On education and awareness, the LAWMA Academy is expanding its footprint in schools, reaching younger generations with lessons in recycling and sustainability. Over 2,000 recycling bins have already been distributed to schools across Lagos, thanks to support from the state government.
Dr. Gbadegesin acknowledged that changing public behavior remains the biggest challenge, but expressed optimism that sustained education, innovation, and youth engagement will gradually shift the culture.
“We want these children to grow up knowing that waste is wealth,” he said. “The change starts now, in our homes, our schools, and our mindset.”
With a determined push from LAWMA and rising awareness among citizens, Lagos is charting a new course where waste management is no longer about disposal, it’s about opportunity.
