AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has revealed that nearly half of the 13,000 tonnes of waste generated daily in Lagos is organic, amounting to about 6,500 tonnes.
Speaking at the unveiling of a new organic waste management initiative in Lagos, Gbadegesin warned that the volume of organic waste poses serious environmental risks, particularly through methane emissions.
The initiative, launched in partnership with Proganics Limited, is aimed at cutting methane emissions, boosting recycling, and advancing the state’s climate action commitments.
Gbadegesin stressed that sorting organic waste at source was crucial to achieving a cleaner Lagos, noting that organic waste dumped in landfills generates methane, a greenhouse gas far more harmful than carbon dioxide.
He described the project as a direct response to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s pledge at COP28 to reduce methane emissions and strengthen Lagos’s role in the global climate fight.
According to him, Proganics Limited has set up a facility with capacity to process 200 tonnes of organic waste daily, using Black Soldier Fly technology to convert food waste into animal feed and bio-fertiliser.
LAWMA, he added, is deploying smart solutions such as RFID-tagged bins and IoT sensors to improve waste evacuation from restaurants, hotels, and event centres.
The Head of Corporate Strategy at Proganics, Augustine Ogee, said the partnership would create circular economy opportunities while improving efficiency for businesses.
“This innovation will reduce pests, odours, and help businesses cut waste bills,” he noted.
Also speaking, the Head of Climate Change Department at the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Michael Bankole, said the project aligns with the state’s climate vision.
“A clean city boosts public health, attracts investment, and improves quality of life. Organic waste is a resource, not a liability,” he said.
