Our administration is committed to ensuring that Lagos remains at the forefront of waste recovery, recycling, and energy generation
By Uche Nnadozie
Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, is undergoing a transformation. Gone are the days of rampant pollution, overflowing landfills, and poor waste management. The Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is spearheading a revolution in environmental sustainability.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Barrister Tokunbo Wahab recently reaffirmed the state’s commitment to creating a cleaner, resilient, and livable city. ‘Lagos is not smelling; it is evolving—toward sustainable waste processing, modernized landfill management, cleaner waterways, and structured sanitation systems’, he stated.
So, what exactly is Lagos doing to achieve this vision? For starters, the state has implemented: Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring, installing over 50 air quality monitors across the city to track industrial, transport, and household emissions. This data-driven approach will enable policymakers to make informed decisions about reducing pollution.
The Lagos Waste Management Authority has also Expanded Waste Collection Services, extending its reach to hard-to-reach communities. In Ibeju-Lekki, tricycle compactors have been introduced on a pay-as-you-go model for non-motorable roads, with plans to deploy 500 additional compactors in 2025.
One of the most important initiatives is the Closure of Major Landfills. Within 18 months, the Olusosun and Solous III landfills will be converted into modern Transfer Loading Stations. These facilities will sort, compact, and redirect waste to recycling centers, significantly reducing the environmental impact of waste disposal. The state is also investing in Waste-to-Energy Projects. A new facility in Epe will process 2,500 tonnes of solid waste daily, generating 60–80 megawatts of electricity for the Lagos power grid.
In addition to these initiatives, the state has implemented a ban on Styrofoam and plastics, encouraging manufacturers to adopt sustainable alternatives under the Extended Producer Responsibility programme. The government is also working to improve Wastewater and Sewage Management, deploying Modular Septage Pre-Treatment Plants to treat fecal sludge before discharge.
To address the issue of open defecation, the state is launching a Street Sanitation and Open Defecation Control programme. Fifteen thousand street sweepers will be deployed daily to clean highways, inner roads, and markets, while 150 new public toilets will be built, with 250 more through public-private partnerships.
Finally, the state is embarking on a Tree Planting and Greener Lagos Initiative. The “Trees for Lagos” campaign aims to plant 50,000 trees in the next two years, along highways, railway routes, industrial zones, schools, and hospitals.
These initiatives demonstrate the state government’s commitment to creating a sustainable, livable city. As Wahab noted, ‘our administration is committed to ensuring that Lagos remains at the forefront of waste recovery, recycling, and energy generation’.
As Lagos continues to evolve, it’s clear that the state government is on the right track. With its comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability, Lagos is poised to become a model for other cities in Nigeria and across Africa.