Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced an immediate response to the state’s worsening waste management challenges, describing the situation as a “small state of emergency.”
The governor made the declaration on Wednesday during an inspection of the Olusosun dumpsite in Ojota, where he expressed concern over increasing refuse accumulation and indiscriminate dumping across Lagos.
As part of the measures to address the crisis, the state government plans to raise the daily capacity of the Olusosun facility from about 250–350 trucks to between 350 and 450 trucks. More tipping points will also be introduced to reduce delays experienced by waste collection vehicles.
The government is additionally procuring 160 new compactor trucks, while private waste operators are expected to provide more vehicles. Authorities also plan to expand disposal capacity at several other sites across the state.
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that two transfer loading stations with a combined capacity of 2,400 metric tonnes are planned for Olusosun and Solu 3. Waste from these facilities will subsequently be transported to material recovery centres in Epe and Badagry for sorting and recycling.
The governor said the state hopes to have four active dumpsites within six weeks as part of efforts to improve waste disposal and reduce the time spent by trucks waiting to discharge refuse.
He also announced plans to review the operations of private waste collection operators, saying only companies capable of providing effective services should remain in the system.
Sanwo-Olu further appealed to Lagos residents to pay for waste collection services, stressing that operators need payments to continue providing regular services.
The state government said its immediate priority is to restore consistent waste collection, while the planned transfer stations, recycling facilities and expanded disposal sites are expected to provide a more lasting solution to the waste management problem.
