How Lagos Wan Turn Dirty Wahala To $2.5 Billion Money-Making Circular Economy

Lagos State dey generate about 13 million metric tonnes of dirty every year, but experts don talk say di state fit turn dis waste wahala to $2.5 billion yearly business if dem fit recover at least 70% of recyclable materials. Every day, about 13,000 tonnes of waste dey pile up for di city, and if di reforms, partnership and awareness campaign wey don start succeed, Lagos fit soon turn from dirty city to Africa’s biggest circular economy model. Industry people talk say even if Lagos recover just 20–30% of di waste, e go still bring between ₦60 billion and ₦100 billion yearly from recycling, composting, and energy conversion. Head of Operations for Polysmart Group, Ikenna Abanonu, explain say PET plastics alone fit generate between ₦39 billion and ₦58.5 billion yearly, while scrap metals, paper and organic waste fit add more billions. E talk say even though di figures no remove logistics and processing cost, di money wey dey di waste sector still big wella. Abanonu still note say if Lagos scale di system well, di waste industry fit rival South Africa own wey dey bring in billions every year.

But Abanonu talk say di main wahala wey dey hold di sector back na poor waste separation, lack of funding and weak policy enforcement. E beg government make dem support private sector and educate di people to see waste as money. Meanwhile, di Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) don start to change old dumpsites like Olusosun and Solous into transfer stations wey go feed new recycling centres for Ikorodu and Badagry. Government don sign partnership with private companies to build Waste-to-Energy plant for Epe and other recycling projects wey go convert dirty to clean energy and fertiliser. Di Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, talk say di Epe plant go reduce flooding, stop illegal dumping and bring new jobs. LAWMA boss, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, confirm say Governor Sanwo-Olu don approve steering committee to push di biogas project. Dem believe say if government, private sector and citizens work together, Lagos go turn di same dirty wey dey disturb am into big-time money, clean environment and sustainable future.