Lagos Stakeholders to Address Sustainable Waste Management at Key Forum
Stakeholders and experts are set to convene in Lagos State to deliberate on effective strategies for tackling the persistent waste management challenges that plague the megacity. The Property & Environment Writers’ Association (PEWAN) will host a forum focused on sustainable solutions, aiming to address issues such as flooding and waterborne diseases exacerbated by improper waste disposal.
Forum Details and Key Speakers
The forum, themed “Waste Management: Challenges, Policy Framework and Solution for Sustainable Megacity,” is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at NECA House in Alausa, Ikeja. Notable speakers include Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), and Olugbenga Adebola, President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria.
Dr Gbadegesin will deliver a presentation titled “Managing the Waste of 22 million Lagos Residents: From Linear Disposal to a Circular Economy—Role of PSP Operators and Other Waste Managers.” This discussion will highlight the transition from traditional waste disposal methods to more sustainable practices, emphasizing the critical role of private sector participants and waste managers in achieving a circular economy.
Innovative Initiatives and Future Plans
LAWMA is actively pursuing a 10-year technology-driven waste management program under the T.H.E.M.E.S + agenda, specifically targeting the Health and Environment pillar. Key components of this initiative include:
- Transitioning from conventional dumpsites to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and upgrading Transfer Loading Stations (TLS).
- Deploying at least 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) compactor trucks in 2026 to enhance cleaner and eco-friendly waste collection, utilizing smart bins equipped with Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.
- Launching the ‘Trash for Cash’ initiative, which incentivizes residents to recycle and reduce landfill waste, thereby boosting recycling rates across the state.
These efforts are part of a broader strategy to improve waste management infrastructure and promote environmental sustainability in Lagos.
Challenges and Solutions to Be Explored
The forum will delve into the various challenges confronting waste management in Lagos, with a particular focus on the operations of Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators. Discussions are expected to cover a range of solutions, including:
- Expanded recycling programs to minimize waste accumulation.
- Waste-to-energy initiatives that convert waste into usable energy sources.
- Examination of regulatory and operational measures to achieve a cleaner city through actionable policies, sustained investments, and shifts in public behavior.
PEWAN Chairman, Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie, emphasized the urgency of the issue, stating that for a megacity like Lagos, effective waste management is crucial for determining its health, longevity, and economic resilience. “It is in view of this development that our association deemed it crucial to bring together critical stakeholders in the waste management ecosystem to discuss and proffer solutions to waste management challenges,” she said.
She further noted that the forum aims to educate and raise awareness about government initiatives, fostering a collaborative approach to ensure a cleaner and more sustainable environment in Lagos State. The insights shared at this event are expected to drive meaningful progress in addressing the city’s waste management woes.
