The Lagos State Government has launched a new initiative to collect used cooking oil from households across the state, aiming to improve environmental quality, protect public health, and develop a biofuel sector estimated at $20 million.
The programme, led by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and LASEPA, is implemented in partnership with Ororo Waste Management and supported by the Shell Foundation. The unveiling on Thursday brought together government officials, private sector partners, environmental experts, and youth representatives.
LASEPA General Manager Babatunde Ajayi said the scheme is designed to position Lagos as a key player in the global biofuel market while addressing the dangers of improper disposal of cooking oil.
“Lagos produces a significant portion of Nigeria’s used cooking oil. Residents can deposit their used oil in exchange for rewards, reducing health risks and creating income opportunities”, Ajayi said.
He explained that improper disposal and repeated reheating of cooking oil can harm health and damage infrastructure, including drainage systems and roads. The initiative aims to curb pollution, prevent diseases like cholera, and improve overall environmental quality.
Ajayi also noted that used cooking oil is a critical feedstock for biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel, increasingly required to meet stricter climate standards. Lagos aims to become the third-largest source of used cooking oil globally within a year, after China and India.
The programme relies on voluntary participation, with economic incentives expected to drive compliance. “When you put money at the end of the chain, it works”, Ajayi said.
Ororo Waste Management’s Managing Director, Ayo Banjo, said the programme now targets households, which generate 50 to 60 percent of used cooking oil, while LASEPA’s Ayodele Oso noted it will also reduce emissions and air pollution from unsafe reuse or burning of oil.
The initiative aligns with Lagos’ broader circular economy strategy, promoting recycling, waste-to-energy conversion, and resource recovery as part of the state’s climate and sustainability agenda.
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