By Abbas Nazil
Lagos State has launched a new initiative to collect household used cooking oil across the state in a bid to reduce environmental pollution while creating new income opportunities for residents.
The programme, led by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency in partnership with Ororo Waste Management and the Shell Foundation, introduces dedicated collection kiosks at all 21 LASEPA zonal offices to allow safe disposal and recycling of waste oil.
Officials said the initiative, known as the Kiosk Initiative, is designed to turn a commonly discarded household waste into an economic resource while improving environmental sanitation.
Speaking at the launch, LASEPA General Manager Dr Babatunji Ajayi explained that the project would connect Lagos to a growing global used cooking oil market estimated to be worth at least 20 million dollars.
He noted that the state’s high consumption levels and waste generation position it strongly to benefit from the emerging recycling value chain.
Ajayi warned that improper disposal of used cooking oil often leads to blocked drainages, pollution of water bodies and long-term ecosystem damage across urban communities.
He said the agency was moving away from solely enforcement-based environmental regulation toward voluntary public participation driven by economic incentives.
According to him, households can now earn money from their waste while contributing to a cleaner environment and improved public health.
Ajayi added that Nigeria ranks among African countries with high potential for used cooking oil recovery and expressed confidence that the initiative would expand rapidly, particularly with strong youth involvement.
Director of the LASEPA Zonal Directorates, Abiodun Ogunleye, assured residents that all zonal offices would actively support the programme to guarantee easy access across the state.
He stressed that proper waste oil management is critical to preventing environmental hazards and maintaining urban infrastructure.
Also speaking, the Director of Partnership, Grants Management and Innovation, Olabisi Shonibare, said the initiative aligns with the Lagos State Government’s broader environmental sustainability agenda.
She explained that the absence of organised collection systems had previously hindered recycling efforts and that the project moves the state closer to its Zero Waste Lagos vision.
In a technical overview, Ororo Waste Management Managing Director and Project Lead Ayo Banjo described the programme as a structured ecosystem that links environmental protection, income generation and global recycling markets.
He said residents would be rewarded for participating while contributing to climate-friendly waste management solutions.
With collection points now operational statewide, stakeholders urged Lagos households to embrace the initiative as a practical way to reduce pollution and transform everyday waste into economic value.
