By Abbas Nazil
The Lagos State government has announced plans to shut down major dumpsites, including the Olusosun landfill in Ojota, to pave the way for waste-to-energy plants that will enhance waste management and generate sustainable power.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), is aimed at improving environmental sustainability and reducing the state’s reliance on landfills.
LAWMA’s Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, revealed that the government intends to establish materials recovery facilities and biogas plants at strategic locations, with construction expected to take approximately 15 months.
He noted that waste previously sent to landfills would be redirected to a materials recovery facility in Badagry, where biogas would be extracted and converted into electricity.
For the Olusosun dumpsite, Gbadegesin highlighted plans to collaborate with industrial facilities in the area, allowing them to utilize the gas extracted from waste to power their generators.
He emphasized that these projects would be implemented through public-private partnerships, ensuring sustainable investments and efficient waste-to-energy conversion.
LAWMA has also partnered with the Swedish Government to conduct a feasibility study on biogas production.
Gbadegesin pointed to Sweden’s success in achieving zero waste by repurposing sewage and organic waste into biomethane, stating that Lagos aims to replicate the model.
He disclosed that Lagos generates approximately 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, of which 6,500 tonnes are organic and could be repurposed for compost and biomethane production.
The Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) is also involved in the project, with plans to introduce 2,000 compressed natural gas-powered buses that will run on biogas once the plant is completed.
The MD said LAWMA has partnered with the Dutch company Harvest Waste to develop a waste-to-energy plant in Epe.
Gbadegesin confirmed that the Epe landfill has already been closed to facilitate the plant’s construction, which will be funded with 100 million euros from the Dutch investors.
The facility is expected to process around 2,500 tonnes of waste daily and generate between 60 and 80 megawatts of electricity.
Gbadegesin expressed confidence in the state’s capacity to achieve these ambitious goals, emphasizing that with the right mindset and commitment to development, Lagos could emerge as a global leader in sustainable waste management.
He described the initiative as a transformative step toward a cleaner, greener, and more energy-efficient city.