Lagos State Faces Severe Waste Management Crisis

Lagos State is currently experiencing a significant waste management crisis, with large areas of the city, including Mushin, Ebute Metta, Agege, and Lekki, overwhelmed by uncollected refuse. The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) oversees waste management in partnership with accredited Private Sector Participants (PSPs), who are responsible for collecting waste from residential properties at least once a week.

However, many residents report missed collections lasting weeks or months, despite paying for the service. PSP operators cite rising diesel costs, vehicle maintenance, and long distances to disposal sites as contributing factors.

State authorities acknowledge operational bottlenecks, underperforming operators, and truck shortages. Efforts to address the issue include clearing refuse black spots and reintroducing monthly sanitation exercises.

This situation has drawn parallels to the waste crisis experienced between 2015 and 2019, when the then Governor Akinwunmi Ambode faced similar challenges, leading to the involvement of Visionscape in 2017 to modernize waste management.