LAWMA Reforms Boost Waste Collection Efficiency Across Lagos, Says Managing Director
Operational Upgrades and Task Forces Improve LAWMA’s Waste Collection Performance
The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has reported significant improvements in waste collection efficiency following a series of targeted reforms and infrastructure upgrades. Managing Director Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin outlined these developments during a recent visit to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) office in Lagos, emphasising expanded operations, enhanced logistics and strengthened stakeholder engagement as key drivers of performance gains.
Expanded Operations and Route Coverage
Dr Gbadegesin highlighted that LAWMA has significantly expanded its cleaning operations, including increased night-time activities and broader street sweeping coverage, now spanning 1,000 routes across Lagos State. The authority has mobilised 16,000 street sweepers, supported by improved operational systems and equipment.
The expanded operational footprint reflects LAWMA’s strategic effort to strengthen frontline waste removal in densely populated and high-waste generation areas, reducing environmental health risks and improving overall urban sanitation.
Fleet Modernisation and Infrastructure Upgrades
LAWMA’s performance improvements have also been supported by investments in equipment and fleet capacity. New waste collection machinery acquired over the past three years has been deployed alongside rehabilitated trucks, enhancing the authority’s capacity to manage both routine collection and the clearance of illegal dump sites. Additional compactor trucks are expected to arrive in the coming months to further bolster operations.
Beyond collection vehicles, LAWMA said it is advancing strategic infrastructure projects, including transfer loading stations and material recovery facilities authorised by the Lagos State House of Assembly. These facilities are designed to process up to 4,000 tonnes of waste daily, aiding waste segregation and reclamation efforts ahead of landfill closures.
Waste-to-Wealth and Energy Initiatives
Dr Gbadegesin outlined ambitious plans to leverage waste as an economic and energy resource. In partnership with private sector firms, including a Dutch waste-to-energy developer, LAWMA is exploring the construction of a 1,500 tonnes-per-day waste-to-energy plant with the potential to generate approximately 60 megawatts of electricity to support industrial zones.
Pilot programmes such as biogas generation at the Epe Food Market processing roughly 500 kg of organic waste per day illustrate the authority’s commitment to transforming organic refuse into productive energy outputs.
Strengthened Institutional and Community Engagement
LAWMA has also prioritised institutional collaboration and community involvement. Each local government area now operates a waste management task force, supported by LAWMA integration desks. This decentralised structure aims to enhance responsiveness and local accountability.
The authority has widened partnerships with Community Development Associations (CDAs) and other stakeholders to drive advocacy, raise public awareness and encourage responsible waste disposal behaviours. Dr Gbadegesin underscored that improving efficiency requires not only equipment and logistics, but sustained behavioural change among Lagos residents.
Regulatory Context and Broader Trends
The reforms take place within a broader context of waste governance strengthening in Lagos State. Ongoing efforts include the planned closure of major dumpsites and revisions to environmental laws to support enforcement and operational improvements. Supported by strategic media partnerships, these initiatives aim to elevate community awareness and compliance with waste management standards.
These developments align with state government commitments to modernise waste services and reduce the environmental footprint of Lagos West Africa’s most populous city where effective waste collection remains central to public health and urban quality of life.
LAWMA’s reported gains in waste collection efficiency reflect a multi-faceted reform agenda combining operational expansion, infrastructure investment and stronger stakeholder coordination. For policymakers, investors and urban planners, these developments underscore Lagos State’s pursuit of an integrated waste management model capable of supporting sanitation goals and sustainable urban growth. Continued implementation and community participation will be critical to sustaining these efficiency gains and advancing broader environmental objectives.
