The Managing Director and CEO of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has challenged residents to move beyond simple disposal and view waste as a valuable economic resource.
Speaking during an appearance on Sunrise Daily, Gbadegesin emphasised that the linear system of simply dumping refuse must give way to a circular economy where materials are recovered, reused, and recycled.
Gbadegesin noted that LAWMA is intensifying its focus on recycling, which he believes will unlock thousands of green jobs for Lagosians.
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He said by adopting a circular model, the state aims to reduce landfill pressure while creating significant business opportunities in the private sector.
“Waste should no longer be seen solely as refuse, but as a resource with economic value,” Gbadegesin stated.
“Sorting at the source is the first step toward efficiency. Separating plastics and metals from general waste supports recycling and protects our environment.”
To ensure compliance, he said LAWMA has ramped up its enforcement and revealed that 400 environmental infractions were prosecuted in 2025 alone.
He cited a recent high-profile case where an individual caught dumping waste indiscriminately was sentenced to a jail term, serving as a stern warning to those who bypass official channels.
The strategy, he said, includes constant monitoring and evacuation of illegal black spots caused by indiscriminate dumping and improving routine collection by Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators.
Others are acquiring 500 mobile tricycle compactors to reach difficult urban corridors and encouraging citizens to report violators through the “See Something, Say Something” initiative.
Despite clearing thousands of tonnes of waste daily, Gbadegesin warned that poor handling at the household level continues to undermine progress.
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He urged residents to avoid cart pushers and patronise only registered PSP operators to ensure waste ends up in designated facilities rather than drains or lagoons.
Gbadegesin reaffirmed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration remains committed to building a flood-resilient Lagos, but stressed that this can only be achieved if every resident takes personal responsibility for their environment.
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