Lagos State Government Acknowledges Waste Collection Issues

The Lagos State Government has admitted to failures in waste collection and operational challenges, as stated by Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab. This acknowledgment came in response to criticisms from Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the 2027 governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, who highlighted issues of refuse accumulation and flooding in Lagos during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Wahab confirmed that while residents have not received satisfactory waste collection services everywhere, the government has plans beyond merely clearing accumulated refuse. He noted that Lagos generates between 13,000 and 15,000 tonnes of municipal waste daily and that approximately 418,500 tonnes were evacuated in May 2026.

Wahab explained that operational difficulties at the Olusosun disposal facility have contributed to delays in waste collection. He outlined the government's long-term strategy to restructure the waste management system, including modern transfer loading stations and waste-to-energy projects, aiming to transform waste into a resource for energy and economic value.