By Abdullahi Lukman
The Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) has called for support from the government and the private sector for effective waste management in Lagos State. It is not specific on the support.
In an interview on April 7, 2025, Olugbenga Adebola, the President of the association, emphasized that collaboration between the government and Private Sector Participants (PSPs) is essential to address the existing challenges in the waste management value chain.
Adebola praised the Lagos State government for its recent initiative to provide compactor trucks to PSPs under a lease-to-own model.
However, he cautioned that this effort addresses only a small fraction—approximately 10 to 15 percent—of the broader issues that plague waste management in the region.
He stressed that while the acquisition of new trucks is a positive step, it should not be viewed as a comprehensive solution.
Adebola articulated the need for a collaborative approach where both the government and waste operators work together to identify and mitigate these challenges.
To create a more robust waste management framework, Adebola proposed establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government and the PSPs.
Adebola also called for more accessible financing options for waste management services. He argued that many operators struggle to repay loans with high-interest rates, which can range from 27 to 33 percent.
“This type of funding is not conducive to effective waste management,” he said, advocating for green financing models that include grants and single-digit interest loans over longer repayment terms.