By Abbas Nazil
The Pan African Vision for the Environment has organised a workshop in Lagos to train community members and waste sector stakeholders on sustainable waste management practices aimed at reducing methane emissions and promoting the zero-waste concept.
The event, held on March 5, 2026, took place at the Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area and focused on building the capacity of households and local actors to manage organic waste more effectively.
The workshop formed part of the Multi‑solving Action to Methane Reduction in Nigeria project, an initiative designed to address methane emissions from organic waste through community-driven and data-based solutions.
During the programme, Senior Programmes Manager of PAVE and Project Officer for the initiative, Victoria Aghaji, emphasised the importance of reducing waste at the source in order to minimise environmental impacts and improve climate outcomes.
Speaking on behalf of PAVE’s President, Anthony Akpan, she explained that the project seeks to instil systematic waste reduction practices among households and communities.
The training session, titled “A One Day Awareness and Capacity Building Workshop for Households in Ikorodu North LCDA on Organic Waste Management to Reduce Methane Emission,” focused on educating participants on proper waste segregation and the value of ensuring that organic materials are managed responsibly rather than dumped.
According to Aghaji, methane is a powerful short-lived climate pollutant and reducing emissions from waste is critical in addressing climate change.
She explained that the project aims to promote practical, inclusive and scalable waste management solutions that can be implemented at the community level.
The Multi-solving Action to Methane Reduction in Nigeria project is funded by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives and the Green Knowledge Foundation and brings together a consortium of Nigerian environmental organisations working on waste reduction and climate action.
Representatives of several environmental agencies and organisations attended the workshop and delivered goodwill messages highlighting the importance of collaboration in addressing waste management challenges.
An official of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Ogundero Adeola Christiana, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to environmental protection and emphasised its role in enforcing environmental regulations across the state.
She noted that awareness and community participation are essential in ensuring that waste management practices contribute positively to environmental protection.
Also speaking at the event, Assistant Director of the Waste-to-Energy Unit at the Lagos Waste Management Authority, Ismail Mutiu, stressed the importance of building a strong waste management value chain.
He explained that improved waste management systems can support economic growth and sustainable development while helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Mutiu added that training programmes such as the workshop would help equip communities with the knowledge needed to participate actively in waste management solutions.
Community leaders also welcomed the initiative and expressed support for the project’s objectives.
Chairman of the Community Development Committee in Ikorodu North LCDA, Prince Adeniran Ogunbanwo, commended the organisers for bringing the awareness campaign to the community.
Participants at the workshop pledged to apply the knowledge gained in their daily waste management practices and to share the information with others in their communities.
The workshop was facilitated by Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of the Renevlyn Development Initiative.
Organisers said the initiative represents a significant step toward promoting sustainable waste management and reducing methane emissions in Nigeria.
The workshop was conducted through both in-person and remote participation and marked the launch of the second phase of the methane reduction project.
Stakeholders noted that strengthening community capacity and promoting responsible waste management practices remain essential steps in tackling climate change and protecting the environment.
