Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the managing director of LAWMA, disclosed the figures in Lagos, noting that the achievement reflects steady growth in the state’s formal recycling efforts. The latest figure represents an increase from 355.15 tonnes in 2024 and 305.63 tonnes in 2023, indicating a consistent upward trend in e-waste processing.

Rising E-Waste, Growing Response

E-waste, comprising discarded electronics such as mobile phones, computers, batteries, and household appliances, remains one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally, largely due to rapid technological advancement and consumption.

However, improper disposal poses serious environmental and health risks, as many of these materials contain toxic substances like lead, mercury, and arsenic.

In response, Lagos State has intensified efforts to ensure safe collection, recycling, and disposal of electronic waste.

Strengthening Recycling Infrastructure

Gbadegesin revealed that the state has established a dedicated e-waste management unit and partnered with 17 certified recycling companies and approved collection centres to ensure proper handling of hazardous materials.

The agency also plays a regulatory role by formalising informal waste operators, enforcing compliance with environmental standards, and expanding public awareness on safe e-waste disposal.

These measures are part of broader efforts by the Lagos State Government to build a structured and sustainable waste management ecosystem.

Experts Raise Concerns Over Capacity Gaps

Despite the progress, environmental experts warn that significant challenges remain.

Stakeholders have highlighted limited recycling capacity relative to the volume of waste generated; low public awareness at the household level, and continued dominance of informal recycling practices.

They also stress the need for stronger implementation of policies such as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework and increased funding for environmental initiatives.

Toward a Circular Economy

As Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos generates thousands of tonnes of waste daily, making effective waste management critical to public health and environmental protection.

LAWMA’s progress in e-waste recycling signals a growing shift toward a circular economy, where waste is treated as a resource rather than discarded.

Outlook

While the 405-tonne milestone underscores improving capacity and awareness, experts agree that scaling infrastructure, policy enforcement, and public education will be essential to fully address Lagos’ growing e-waste challenge.

The state’s next phase will likely determine whether it can transition from incremental progress to system-wide transformation in waste management.

Co-Funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Vocational Education and Training in Sub Saharan Africa programme, the GROW Project aims to strengthen vocational education systems by equipping young people, construction workers, and educators with green, digital, and entrepreneurial skills for sustainable construction waste management and recycling.

The construction sector is one of the largest generators of waste globally, accounting for up to 30 per cent of total solid waste.

In many Sub-Saharan African countries, most construction and demolition waste ends up in dumpsites, despite its strong potential for reuse and recycling. GROW seeks to turn this challenge into an opportunity by integrating circular economy principles into vocational training and linking skills development with labour market needs.

Through the project, Vocational Training institutions in Nigeria and Mozambique will modernise curricula, train instructors and managers, and pilot innovative training programmes focused on construction waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable building practices.

The project also promotes work-based learning, internships, job fairs, and entrepreneurship to improve employment and self-employment opportunities for young people.

Gender equality and social inclusion are central to GROW’s approach, with a commitment to ensure that at least 30 per cent of beneficiaries are women.

By encouraging women’s participation in green construction careers, the project aims to foster more inclusive and resilient local economies.

Speaking on the project, Margherita Trestini, the Apodissi general manager, added

“The GROW Project provides a unique opportunity to modernise training systems and introduce innovative approaches to Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) recycling and sustainable building practices. At APODISSI, we are particularly focused on promoting entrepreneurship, inclusion, and employment opportunities, especially for young people and women. By building local capacity and strengthening partnerships between education and industry, this project will contribute significantly to environmental sustainability and economic resilience in Nigeria and Mozambique.”

Trestini further said that APODISSI, with its operational headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, has extensive knowledge of the CDW ecosystem in Lagos and Windhoek.

“Through the GROW Project, we have a valuable opportunity to expand our engagement into Mozambique, better understand the local market, and establish strong networks within the CDW sector. This collaboration will enable APODISSI to contribute its expertise while building strategic partnerships that support long-term innovation, skills development, and sustainable CDW management solutions in the region,” she added.

GROW is implemented by a consortium of partners from Europe – Mínimos Quadrados – MQ; AREA; MUNDUS; and Africa, Lagos Waste Management Authority – LAWMA; APODISSI; UniZambeze; Instituto Superior Dom Bosco, ISDB, including vocational training institutions, public authorities, universities, and private sector stakeholders.

The project aligns with EU Global Gateway priorities, national development strategies in Nigeria and Mozambique, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

By strengthening skills, promoting innovation, and fostering cross-border collaboration, the GROW Project is expected to contribute to cleaner cities, reduced environmental impact, and sustainable job creation across Sub-Saharan Africa.

There is no gainsaying that these markets are due for closure. However, what next after the re-opening of the markets?

One of the places in town synonymous with huge refuse generation is the markets. Many times, markets are considered to belong to nobody; as such, traders want their immediate environment habitable for their businesses, and at the close of the day, they “drop” the byproducts of their wares somewhere, mainly on the roadside by the huge refuse collector and head to their various abodes.

Yes, we will not, but blame the traders for not doing the appropriate thing. However, with the recent strategic move of the Ministry of Environment and LAWMA, everybody will know that it is no more business as usual. You have to take full responsibility for your environment, or else, the state will deal with you.

However, there needs to be a pivotal strategy by the government to ensure that refuses do not become a menace for the traders, with the campaign on Circular Economy and how to achieve this. It is time to really put this into action for the good of every Lagosian.

The Lagos State Government and LAWMA need to design a model of evacuation of refuse to these markets so that there would be seamless management.

For instance, Mile 12 markets, wherein groceries are sold at the open market, will always have perishable items. There is a need for the government to know if this waste can be used to nourish the soil or even made into consumables for livestock. If this is done, there will be a significant drop in wastage that we currently face as a nation.

At the moment, there are some peculiar markets, Computer Village and Alaba, Aswani and Yaba, with products that the world is still grappling with the best way of handling its waste; these are the largely electronic-related-waste and clothes. We do not have a model that will resolve waste, and it has become expedient to know how to fix this challenge too.

The peculiarity of each market will determine what will be done to ensure that we get the best out of the waste produced daily. So, we need to develop a strategy for markets that deal in motor parts, fashion, and accessories, pieces of furniture, metals, amongst others.

I would also want to drum up support for the state government’s action. As a result of the import-dependent nature of the Nigerian economy, many traders have had the opportunity to travel to nations wherein they import their wares and also gone on pilgrimage either to Jerusalem or Saudi Arabia. The famous saying, “Opopo Mecca mo roro”, means the streets of Mecca are sparkling clean. However, we all enjoy making our roads stink.

With the level of Government investment in LAWMA and the franchisees located across the state, there are still insufficient waste truck collectors that can serve these markets daily, and that is why the level of waste keeps growing geometrically and the unending competitive need for the services of these waste collectors from the residential areas to the commercial areas.

This might warrant the closure of the commercial spaces every week because of the attendant waste.

The LAWMA Summer Academy for children needs to be infused into the curriculum for students of Lagos State so that we can begin to catch them young.

If the content of the training is made available to children through the classroom, they will, in turn, educate their parents, and this will lead to attitudinal change in the community at large.

Beyond the sanctions on residential and commercial areas on issues of waste management, a stakeholder forum on effective waste management for a mega city like Lagos needs to be organized so that we can take lessons that will turn our waste into wealth.

The game is not over, the advocacy is not over, and the attitudinal change should really begin now across all societal strata so that our Lagos can also receive accolades for being one of the cleanest states in Nigeria and Africa at large.

*Olutayo Irantiola, PR Consultant, Creative Writer and Public Affairs Analyst writes from Lagos, Nigeria. He blogs on www.peodavies.com, and can be reached via peodaviescomms@gmail.com.