Lagos State now generates approximately 17,000 tonnes of waste every day, up from an earlier estimate of about 13,000 tonnes, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has disclosed.
Hamzat said the sharp increase is putting additional pressure on the state’s waste collection and management infrastructure as Lagos continues to experience population growth and rapid urbanisation.
The deputy governor disclosed the figures on Tuesday, August 11, while appearing on “Daily Digest with Jim Disu” on Nigeria Info FM.
Lagos Waste Generation Exceeds Previous Estimates
According to Hamzat, the Lagos State Government had previously worked with an estimate of roughly 13,000 tonnes of waste generated each day.
More recent assessments, however, indicate that the actual volume has reached approximately 17,000 tonnes daily.
The increase means Lagos is producing about 4,000 tonnes more waste each day than previously estimated, representing an increase of roughly 31 per cent.
Hamzat attributed the rising volume partly to Lagos’ expanding population, continuing urbanisation and the large number of people participating in the state’s informal economy.
The changing situation, he said, has increased pressure on the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and private waste collection companies responsible for keeping communities clean.
420 PSP Operators Handling Waste Collection
Hamzat disclosed that approximately 420 Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators are currently involved in waste collection across Lagos.
Despite the number of operators, he said disruptions affecting waste collection vehicles have created additional difficulties in some areas.
The deputy governor cautioned against attributing the state’s waste collection challenges entirely to LAWMA, arguing that the volume the agency and its partners must manage has grown beyond earlier projections.
He stressed that a waste management structure designed around an estimated 13,000 tonnes per day would inevitably face additional pressure when required to handle approximately 17,000 tonnes.
Accurate Data Critical to Lagos Waste Management
Hamzat identified reliable data as an important part of developing an effective response to Lagos’ growing waste management requirements.
Authorities, he said, need to understand the true scale of waste generation before infrastructure, collection capacity and other resources can be properly planned.
“You cannot manage what you cannot measure,” the deputy governor said.
He consequently called for regular reviews of Lagos State’s waste management strategies to ensure they reflect current population and environmental realities.
Hamzat Calls for Collective Responsibility
Beyond government intervention, Hamzat said achieving a cleaner Lagos would require cooperation among residents, PSP operators and relevant government agencies.
He urged Lagos residents to dispose of their waste properly and comply with environmental regulations rather than leaving responsibility entirely to government agencies.
According to him, government efforts alone cannot deliver a sustainable waste management system without cooperation from the public.
Hamzat also extended the message beyond Lagos, calling on Nigerians to demonstrate greater responsibility and patriotism in protecting their environment.
The deputy governor said collective action would be essential to maintaining cleaner communities and creating a healthier and more sustainable environment.
