LAWMA to Install Cameras Across Lagos to Catch Illegal Dumpers
LAWMA plans surveillance cameras to curb illegal dumping across Lagos
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) plans to install surveillance cameras at strategic locations across Lagos State as part of efforts to curb illegal waste dumping, strengthen environmental enforcement and improve sanitation.
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The authority will also partner with the Lagos State Command Centre to monitor environmental violations within its coverage area. The measures are designed to improve the identification of offenders and discourage indiscriminate waste disposal across the state.
LAWMA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed the plans during an interview on Lagos Talks 91.3 FM. He said surveillance, enforcement and public awareness would complement improvements in waste collection services.
LAWMA Plans Surveillance Cameras Across Lagos
Gbadegesin said additional waste collection infrastructure alone would not resolve Lagos’ sanitation challenges, noting that lasting improvements also require changes in public behaviour and consistent enforcement of environmental regulations.
The planned cameras will strengthen monitoring at strategic locations, help identify people responsible for illegal dumping and support enforcement action under applicable laws.
The partnership with the Lagos State Command Centre is expected to expand monitoring of environmental infractions within the centre’s coverage area.
LAWMA is also continuing public awareness efforts to encourage residents and businesses to dispose of waste responsibly. The authority has urged residents to package their waste properly, use approved waste collection services and report cases of illegal dumping.
The strategy combines technology with enforcement and public participation, as the state seeks to address persistent waste disposal violations.
LAWMA Adds 150 Waste Trucks to Collection Efforts
Alongside the surveillance plan, Gbadegesin disclosed that 150 new waste trucks had arrived to strengthen waste collection and evacuation across Lagos.
He also said LAWMA’s house-to-house intervention was helping to clear accumulated refuse following the disengagement of underperforming Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators.
The additional vehicles are expected to support waste evacuation, while the house-to-house initiative addresses collection gaps in affected communities.
The authority has emphasised that better collection services must be matched by responsible disposal practices. Residents who dump refuse in unauthorised locations can undermine collection efforts and contribute to the recurrence of waste accumulation in public spaces.
The effectiveness of the initiative will therefore depend on both the availability of reliable collection services and compliance with approved disposal arrangements.
Lagos Expands Waste Recovery and Recycling Plans
LAWMA is also pursuing waste-to-energy initiatives as part of Lagos State’s broader efforts to recover value from waste and reduce dependence on conventional disposal methods.
Gbadegesin highlighted the potential to convert organic waste into useful energy, including electricity. He also referenced the state steering committee established to advance a proposed biogas plant.
The authority is pursuing improvements to waste transfer and resource recovery infrastructure, including Transfer Loading Stations and Material Recovery Facilities. These facilities can strengthen waste handling, sorting and recycling by improving the movement of collected refuse and the separation of reusable materials.
Developing these systems could help the state move towards a more circular waste economy, in which materials are recovered and reused rather than sent directly for disposal.
However, progress will depend on the capacity of collection and processing infrastructure, effective coordination and the participation of households and businesses.
Illegal Dumping Remains a Challenge for Lagos
The surveillance plan follows other enforcement measures aimed at addressing indiscriminate waste disposal across Lagos.
In September 2026, LAWMA sealed businesses along Ago Palace Way over persistent illegal dumping and arrested 11 people for unauthorised waste disposal in parts of Lagos Island. The action formed part of the state’s wider campaign to improve sanitation and enforce approved waste management practices.
Illegal dumping can obstruct drainage channels, worsen flooding risks and create public health and environmental concerns. Waste deposited on roads, medians and other unauthorised spaces can also increase the burden on public authorities responsible for clearing and maintaining these areas.
The planned deployment of cameras adds a technology-driven component to enforcement. Its impact will depend on where the cameras are installed, how consistently violations are monitored and whether identified offenders face appropriate action.
Enforcement Must Be Matched by Reliable Waste Services
LAWMA’s latest measures place emphasis on combining surveillance, enforcement, public education and improved collection infrastructure to achieve cleaner communities.
For the strategy to deliver lasting results, residents and businesses will need access to dependable waste collection services, while authorities must ensure that enforcement remains consistent and that environmental rules are applied fairly.
The arrival of additional trucks and proposed surveillance network could strengthen the state’s response to illegal dumping. Improvements to waste recovery facilities and waste-to-energy projects could also expand options for managing the volume of refuse generated across Lagos.
The key test will be whether these measures reduce repeated dumping, improve sanitation in affected neighbourhoods and deliver sustained improvements in the state’s waste management system.
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