The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has stressed that effective waste management in Lagos requires a shared responsibility among residents, operators and government.
He made this known while delivering a paper at the annual conference of the Property and Environment Writers Association of Nigeria (PEWAN) held at NECA House on Wednesday, where he addressed the challenges of managing waste in a megacity of over 22 million people.
Gbadegesin, who was represented by LAWMA’s Executive Director, Finance, Kunle Adebiyi, described waste management as a critical urban governance issue with far-reaching implications for public health, flood control, environmental sustainability and the overall functionality of the city.
He explained that household waste collection across Lagos is handled by licensed Private Sector Participant (PSP) operators under a structured, area-based system regulated by LAWMA, noting that more than 450 operators currently serve communities across the state.
According to him, the effectiveness of the system depends not only on operational efficiency but also on residents’ cooperation in adopting proper waste disposal practices and patronising their assigned PSP operators.
He warned that indiscriminate dumping of refuse and the patronage of illegal cart pushers continue to undermine structured waste management efforts, often leading to blocked drainage channels and increased flooding risks.
Gbadegesin added that as a coastal and highly urbanised city, Lagos must adopt a more disciplined and forward-looking approach, noting that improperly disposed waste frequently ends up in canals, lagoons and other water bodies, worsening environmental challenges.
He further highlighted ongoing efforts to promote waste sorting, recycling and resource recovery, improve system efficiency, and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, stressing that achieving a cleaner and more sustainable Lagos requires sustained partnership among government, PSP operators, communities and the media.
