By Peter Dansu Lagos State is taking bold steps toward a cleaner, more sustainable future with the planned construction of two major waste ...
By Peter Dansu
Lagos State is taking bold steps toward a cleaner, more sustainable future with the planned construction of two major waste processing facilities in Badagry and Ikorodu. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the development on Monday during the formal signing of a Waste Management and Processing Concession Agreement with ZoomLion Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies.
The agreement marks a significant milestone in the State’s journey toward modern and environmentally friendly waste management. Under this Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Lagos will build two Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)—one in Badagry and the other in Ikorodu—dedicated to recycling and recovering valuable materials from daily waste.
According to a statement from the State Government, Lagos generates about 13,000 tonnes of waste every day, a volume that demands innovative and large-scale solutions. These new recycling plants will help Lagos transition from the traditional “collect and dump” model to a circular waste economy, where refuse is processed and reused for economic and environmental gain.
The facility in Ikorodu will receive 2,500 tonnes of waste daily from a new Transfer Loading Station (TLS) to be constructed at the Olusosun Dumpsite in Ketu. This development will allow for the full decommissioning of the long-standing dumpsite. Similarly, a TLS will be built at the Solous III Dumpsite in Igando, diverting 1,500 tonnes of waste each day to the new MRF in Badagry and enabling the closure of that dumpsite as well.
Governor Sanwo-Olu hailed the agreement as a “turning point” in the State’s waste management strategy, describing it as a win-win for all stakeholders—residents, private waste operators, and the government.
“Today, we begin a new chapter in our effort to create a cleaner, healthier Lagos,” the Governor said. “This partnership with ZoomLion is not just about waste—it’s about innovation, job creation, and a sustainable environment for future generations."
He reassured residents that the transition would not result in job losses. On the contrary, over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs are expected to be created, with a focus on dignified and sustainable employment opportunities. He also noted that the initiative would help PSP operators improve waste collection efficiency, as the new facilities would offer quicker turnaround times.
“This initiative gives us the chance to transform waste into wealth. From food waste to plastics and glass, we can now recycle and repurpose materials in ways that benefit our economy and environment,” Sanwo-Olu added.
To further support waste collection in densely populated or hard-to-reach areas, the government will deploy self-tipping tricycles as part of the plan.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, described the project as a “watershed moment” for Lagos. He explained that the State Executive Council and the House of Assembly thoroughly reviewed and approved the concession, which shifts Lagos from a linear waste system to a more circular and productive model.
“We are no longer seeing waste as a nuisance but as a resource that can create jobs, generate revenue, and improve the quality of life,” Wahab said.
Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, praised the partnership as a model for African collaboration in sustainable development. He assured that ZoomLion Nigeria Ltd. would deliver the project within the agreed 18-month timeline, staying faithful to the agreement’s terms.
With the facilities in Badagry and Ikorodu set to become operational in the near future, Lagos is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable urban living—one waste recovery plant at a time.
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