The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) welcomed students and faculty from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Tuesday as part of their study tour focused on urban challenges and environmental sustainability.
The visiting delegation, led by Prof. Lynn Schler, Head of the African Studies Department at Ben-Gurion University, was received by LAWMA’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin. During the visit, Gbadegesin provided an in-depth overview of LAWMA’s mandate to maintain a cleaner Lagos and its ongoing initiatives to promote environmental sustainability.
Highlighting LAWMA’s history, he noted that the agency was founded in 1977 to address a mounting waste crisis in the state. He further explained that its operations align with the THEMES+ agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, particularly in the areas of health and environmental sustainability.
Gbadegesin identified climate change as a key factor driving migration into Lagos, leading many newcomers to take up scavenging as a livelihood. To better integrate these individuals into the formal waste management system, he revealed that LAWMA is implementing the ‘Last Man Collector’ initiative.
“At the Olusosun dumpsite alone, we have about 3,000 scavengers. We have already registered 5,000 individuals, and our goal is to better structure their role within the waste collection process,” he stated.
Additionally, he unveiled plans to establish an upcycling center in Otto, one of Lagos’ oldest communities. The facility aims to train young people in sustainable waste management techniques, ensuring a shift from mere waste disposal to long-term environmental solutions.
Commending LAWMA’s efforts, Prof. Schler described the visit as highly impactful. “If this were the only activity on our study tour, it would have been entirely worthwhile. The leadership and forward-thinking strategies at LAWMA are truly inspiring,” she remarked.
Shira Lahav, a student from Ben-Gurion University, shared her enthusiasm for the visit, emphasizing the significance of global cooperation in tackling waste management challenges. “This experience has exceeded my expectations. Learning about Lagos’ waste management system has been incredibly insightful,” she said.
Femi Anjola Elizabeth, a History and Strategic Studies student from UNILAG, admitted she previously had limited knowledge about the city’s waste collection system. “I have seen PSP operators in my area, but today, I have gained a much deeper appreciation of how the system works,” she noted.
The visit also featured a question-and-answer session, where students and faculty engaged with the LAWMA CEO on key issues surrounding waste management in one of Africa’s most populous cities.
For waste management inquiries, LAWMA can be reached via its toll-free numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020, and 617, or through its website at www.lawma.gov.ng.
