Waste Disposal: Lagos pushes for circular economy model as crisis deepens

Waste Disposal: Lagos pushes for circular economy model as crisis deepens

 

Lagos authorities have renewed calls for a shift from traditional waste disposal methods to a circular economy model, as mounting refuse volumes heighten concerns over the sustainability of current waste management practices in the state.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, made the case during the quarterly forum of the Property and Environment Writers Association of Nigeria, stressing that waste management has become a defining test of urban governance in a megacity like Lagos.

According to him, managing the daily waste output of over 22 million residents goes far beyond routine collection, warning that failure in the sector could trigger wider consequences across public health, infrastructure and economic stability.

“If a city cannot manage its waste effectively, it is only a matter of time before disorder begins to manifest in other sectors,” he said.

Gbadegesin, who was represented at the event by LAWMA’s Executive Director of Finance, Kunle Adebiyi, advocated a transition to a circular economy system that treats waste as a resource rather than mere refuse.

He explained that such a model emphasises reduction, sorting, recycling and reuse, with disposal considered only as a last resort, a move he said is critical to achieving long-term environmental sustainability.

Also speaking, President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria, Olugbenga Adebola, urged the media to deepen public discourse on waste management by focusing on broader issues beyond collection and evacuation.

He called for increased attention on recycling, urban planning and environmental sustainability, noting that sustained public engagement is vital to driving meaningful change.

In her welcome remarks, Chairman of PEWAN, Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie, said the forum was convened to explore practical and forward-looking solutions, including waste-to-energy initiatives and expanded recycling efforts.

She added that achieving a cleaner Lagos would depend on a mix of effective policies, consistent investment and a behavioural shift among residents toward responsible waste disposal practices.