A comprehensive baseline study conducted in Ajegunle-Ikorodu, an informal settlement in Lagos State, is expected to guide evidence-based strategies aimed at transforming local waste management into a model of community resilience and circular economy development. The study was carried out by the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC), Rethinking Cities, and the Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development. It combined quantitative household surveys of more than 400 families across three Community Development Associations (CDAs)—Ajegunle CDA, Irawo CDA, and Thomas CDA, with focus group discussions involving youth, tenants, landlords, and women.
Key Findings on Waste Management
Findings revealed limited access to formal waste collection services, with most households excluded from Lagos’ Private Sector Participation (PSP) system. Common disposal practices include burning, dumping at bus stops and roadsides, and disposal into community canals. Plastics and food waste were identified as the dominant household waste streams, while only a small proportion of residents consistently separate recyclables.
The consequences of poor waste management were also evident. Widespread flooding linked to blocked drainage systems affects a significant number of households, while residents reported recurring health issues, including malaria, cholera, typhoid, and rodent infestations.
Informal Waste Economy and Community Awareness
Despite these challenges, the study highlighted an active informal waste economy within the community. Many households earn supplementary income through recycling activities, with earnings derived from plastics, metals, and electronic waste. The research also found strong awareness among residents about the environmental and health impacts of improper disposal, alongside willingness to adopt improved waste practices.
Residents prioritised reforms such as the establishment of accessible waste collection points, improved education on waste separation and recycling, clearing of illegal dump sites, and stronger enforcement of environmental regulations. Community stakeholders, including landlords, women’s groups, and youth organisations, expressed readiness to support cooperative waste systems, partnerships with informal recyclers, composting of organic waste, and stronger coordination among CDAs.
Expert Perspectives on the Study
Co-founder of Rethinking Cities, Deji Akinpelu, said the findings show that Ajegunle-Ikorodu is positioned for transformation rather than crisis alone. “This study shows that Ajegunle-Ikorodu is not just facing a waste crisis; it is sitting on a powerful foundation for real change. With widespread engagement with informal recyclers and strong demand for improved collection systems and education, the community is primed for practical, locally driven solutions,” he said.
He added that integrating formal waste services with the existing informal recycling economy could deliver cleaner environments, improved health outcomes, and new income opportunities. According to him, the research team is already working with community leaders, the Lagos Waste Management Authority, local NGOs, and private sector actors to design targeted interventions. These include the establishment of community collection points, recycling education programmes, and pilot initiatives led by women and youth for waste-based enterprises.
ACRC Lagos City Manager, Dr Temilade Sesan, described the project as proof of the effectiveness of community-driven solutions. “The Ajegunle-Ikorodu waste collection point is a chance for us to demonstrate the power of community-driven solutions to the complex challenges faced by urban communities,” she said.
She noted that the initiative brings together community members, the Nigerian Slum/Informal Settlement Federation, Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Rethinking Cities, the University of Lagos, and other stakeholders, marking a shift from centralised interventions to grassroots-driven models. “With the new waste collection point, we expect improved sanitation outcomes as well as enhanced income-generating opportunities for residents,” she added.
Also speaking, Adebote Mayowa of the Office of the Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy said waste challenges are closely linked to broader environmental and public health issues, including air pollution and degradation. He noted that economic realities often influence poor waste disposal practices, as many residents prioritise daily survival needs. He called for stronger collaboration among government, organisations, and communities, while noting the gradual rollout of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies as a positive step. He also urged a shift in perception of waste from burden to resource through sustained awareness and education.
Supervisor for Environment in Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Innocent Osakwe, identified funding instability, inconsistent PSP operations, and weak payment systems as major challenges in the waste sector. He criticised irregular PSP services, where operators sometimes abandon routes for months before returning with accumulated charges. He also recommended a shift from room-based billing to household-based billing to improve fairness and affordability. Osakwe further highlighted land scarcity as a major constraint limiting the establishment of recycling hubs and related infrastructure, though he noted ongoing efforts to strengthen environmental services in the area.
