6th Lagos Waste Forum Highlights Circular Economy Opportunities and Environmental Innovation
The Lagos State Government, alongside key public and private sector stakeholders, has ramped up efforts to harness Nigeria’s $250 billion green economy potential through innovative waste management initiatives.
The announcement came at the 6th Lagos Waste Forum, organised by the SWEEP Foundation NG with support from UNIDO, the European Union, and Coca-Cola Nigeria, under the theme “The Power of Nigeria’s Waste Economy.”
Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Special Adviser on the Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, underscored Lagos’ pivotal role in the country’s circular economy. He described the city’s massive waste output as both a challenge and a strategic opportunity for innovation and entrepreneurship.
“Lagos generates vast quantities of waste, but within this challenge lies a significant opportunity, one realised through structure, innovation, and entrepreneurial intelligence,” Rotimi-Akodu said.
He highlighted that agencies like the Lagos Waste Management Authority, led by Muyiwa Gbadegesin, are developing an integrated framework to position Lagos as a hub of circular economy innovation.
A representative of the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) presented figures showing Nigeria’s green economy potential. Citing the Imagine Nigeria report by the Federal Government and UNDP, the official noted that circular economy initiatives could unlock up to $250 billion in economic value.
“Circularity is not just an ecological necessity but a strategic pathway to jobs, innovation, and environmental protection,” the FBRA representative said, adding that Nigeria produces 32 million tonnes of waste annually, with Lagos alone generating N18 billion in recycling value in 2021.
Obuesi Phillips, President and CEO of SWEEP Foundation NG, referred to dumpsites as emerging “waste mines”, advocating for the creation of a Ministry of Waste Resources and a Green Bank to provide single-digit interest loans to waste-to-wealth entrepreneurs.
The forum’s lecture was delivered by Ola Oresanya, Ogun State Commissioner for the Environment, who emphasized the importance of evidence-based interventions. He called on governments to move beyond policy statements to implement practical solutions and build a technically skilled environmental workforce.
“Solutions must be guided by research, innovation, and evidence-based interventions tailored to Nigeria’s local contexts,” Oresanya said.
Other attendees included Titi Oshodi, Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy; Natalie Beinisch, Executive Director of Circular Economy Innovation Partnership; and Emem Umana, UNIDO Field Coordination and Gender Expert.
The forum concluded with participants committing to finance, technology adoption, and community engagement as key pillars to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a resource-efficient and climate-smart waste ecosystem.
About the Author
