Experts Urge FG and Lagos to Invest in Recycling, Enforce Policies to Turn Waste into Wealth

Environmental experts, waste managers and private sector stakeholders have called on the Federal Government and Lagos State to increase investment, enforce policies and drive behavioural change to unlock Nigeria’s recycling potential.

The call was made at the 5th Cycling Lagos Webinar held on Thursday, September 3, 2026. The webinar is part of activities leading to the 5th Cycling Lagos scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

With the theme “Trash to Treasure: Unlocking Recycling Capacity for a Sustainable Future,” the event focused on practical steps to expand recycling capacity, strengthen the circular economy and address Nigeria’s waste management challenges.

Speaking at the webinar, National President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria, Dr. Olugbenga Adebola, said waste should be treated as an economic resource, not just an environmental problem.

“Waste is not waste unless you waste it. For a very long time, whether in Lagos, across Nigeria or across the continent of Africa, we have been wasting our waste,” he said.

Adebola said accurate data is key to planning. He noted that while Lagos may plan for 13,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, actual generation could exceed 20,000 metric tonnes. This gap, he said, affects collection, transportation and processing.

He added that only about 18 per cent of waste generated in Lagos is recycled. He identified infrastructure, financing and weak policy implementation as major barriers.

According to him, recycling is capital intensive and requires long-term financing of 10 to 15 years. He said commercial bank loans with high interest rates are not suitable. He cited the cost of a new compactor at over N150 million as an example.

Adebola also said AWAMN members have created more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs in Lagos through waste collection, transportation and maintenance.

Director of Sahara Group Foundation, Chidilim Menakaya, said the private sector must bring capital into recycling while government provides the right policies. She spoke on “Trash to Treasure: The Role of the Private Sector in Unlocking Recycling Capacity for a Sustainable Future.”

Menakaya said Nigeria’s growing waste stream is both a challenge and an opportunity. She called for structured systems for collection, sorting and recovery to prevent recyclables from ending up in landfills.

She stressed that infrastructure alone will not work without public education. “If the public do not understand the reason why they have to recycle, there is no need for you to put infrastructure in place,” she said.

She urged young people to see waste collection as a profitable business and called for more financing for recycling and green enterprises. She also advised the use of technology such as recycling dashboards and reverse vending machines, while encouraging entrepreneurs to start small and scale.

Regional Coordinator, South-West Division of the Recyclers Association of Nigeria, Princess Florence Oluwafeyikemi Egbeyemi, said recycling should be treated as industrial policy, not just sanitation.

She proposed the formula: Predictable feedstock plus predictable quality plus predictable buyer equals bankability. She called for better implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility and urged the integration of the informal sector through training, contracts and protective equipment.

Egbeyemi also suggested a South-West regional circular economy model linking Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti. She said Nigeria could position itself as an African circular materials hub using AfCFTA opportunities.

Managing Director of Mountains Energy Solutions Ltd, Engr. Olusegun Okedoye, said weak policy enforcement and poor infrastructure are major barriers. He called for sustained environmental education from primary school to tertiary level.

He said Nigeria needs a comprehensive waste management framework and stronger collaboration with international technology companies to improve capacity.

Across all presentations, speakers agreed that solving Nigeria’s recycling challenge requires collaboration among government, private investors, manufacturers, recyclers, informal operators and communities. They listed data, source separation, infrastructure, finance, markets and people as the six pillars for a working circular economy.

Convener of Cycling Lagos, Mr. Bamidele Adeleye, said the “Trash to Treasure” campaign uses sport and community engagement to drive conversations on sustainability. He urged stakeholders to turn discussions into action.

The 2026 Cycling Lagos will hold on September 12, 2026, at the National Stadium, Surulere. It is organized by Cycling Africa Limited in collaboration with Lagos State Cycling Association and sponsored by Union Bank, AIICO Multishield, Checkers Custard, Flour Mills, Stanbic IBTC and BrandEscort.

For participation and partnership, visit http://www.cyclinglagos.com or email info@cyclinglagos.com.