Lagos Waste Reporter

ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE — In a noteworthy acknowledgment of investigative excellence and environmental advocacy, City Scope Africa has conferred an award upon Mr. Sanni Gbenga, the Managing Editor and Lead Investigator of Lagos Waste Reporter. The esteemed accolade was bestowed during the 2026 Africa Circular Business and Environmental Sustainability Conference and Awards, held from March 26 to 27 at the cultural centre of Abeokuta, Ogun State. Mr. Gbenga was recognized for his unwavering dedication to addressing environmental pollution crimes through undercover investigations and documenting environmental violations across Lagos State. Mr. Gbenga's contributions have been instrumental in enhancing transparency within the waste management sector. Through Lagos Waste Reporter, his investigative endeavours have consistently illuminated systemic deficiencies, promoted regulatory compliance, and advocated for a cleaner and more sustainable urban environment. ...

Lagos Waste Reporter Set to Launch Innovative WhatsApp Bot to Revolutionize Waste Management in Lagos ​LAGOS, NIGERIA — Lagos Waste Reporter, the leading environmental investigation and digital advocacy platform for urban sanitation, is proud to announce the upcoming launch of its AI-powered WhatsApp Bot. This first-of-its-kind digital clearinghouse is designed to bridge the persistent communication gap between Lagos residents, Private Sector Partnership (PSP) operators, and the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). ​Despite ongoing efforts to keep the megacity clean, many residents struggle with inconsistent pick-up schedules and a lack of direct channels to report issues. The Lagos Waste Reporter WhatsApp Bot is engineered to solve these challenges by providing a seamless, real-time interface for accountability. ​More Than Just a Database: Intelligent Routing ​Unlike traditional complaint desks, the bot functions as an active clearinghouse. It does not mer...

The Lagos Waste Management Authority recorded 1,023 illegal dumping and waste management non-compliance incidents across the state in 2025, with 447 cases referred for legal action. This is contained in LAWMA’s 2025 Waste Surveillance Statistics obtained exclusively by the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos. A breakdown of the statistics shows that 230 males and 217 females were referred for prosecution, representing 51 per cent and 49 per cent respectively. The surveillance operations also identified 431 scavengers and reconciled 145 properties with their assigned Private Sector Participation waste operators. The authority disclosed that peak dumping periods occurred between midnight and early morning, with residential refuse, construction debris and hazardous waste prominent among offences. LAWMA said the 2025 figures built on an intensified enforcement strategy carried into 2026, with officers stepping up surveillance and enforcement activities across the state. It ...

Residents need to embrace a responsible attitude toward waste disposal. Disposing of waste in road medians or unauthorized areas is not a viable solution and should be avoided. If you encounter a situation where your Private Sector Participant (PSP) fails to show up for waste collection, please remember that there are call center platforms available to help. The Lawma call center and various government social media channels have been effective in resolving many waste management issues. Just as you reach out to customer service for issues with services like DStv or GOtv, or contact your network provider for problems, it's important to apply the same diligence in reporting waste collection challenges. Rather than resorting to illegal dumping, let’s utilize the resources at our disposal to find solutions and enhance our environment. Together, we can address waste management challenges constructively and technically. With our combined efforts, a c...

The Lagos Waste Management Authority has warned residents against attacking or obstructing its enforcement officers during environmental sanitation and waste management operations across the state. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, issued the warning on Friday following reports that some personnel were threatened and assaulted while carrying out routine enforcement duties. “I am compelled to warn, in the strongest terms, against any attempt to attack, harass, intimidate, or obstruct LAWMA enforcement officers while they carry out their lawful duties across Lagos State,” Gbadegesin said in a post on X on Friday. He described the recent incidents as disturbing and unacceptable, noting that enforcement officers were not deployed to provoke conflict. “Over the past few days, we have recorded disturbing incidents in which some of our personnel were threatened and, in a few cases, assaulted during routine enforcement of env...

Why Do People Continue to Glamourize MAKOKO? Makoko is often referred to as the "Venice of Africa", however, lacking the infrastructure to support such density, it teeters on the brink of a significant ecological and public health crisis, between a vibrant community and catastrophe. If the government opts not to relocate residents or fails to regenerate the area, the risks become systemic for Lagos, extending beyond local concerns. 1. Public Health: An Ongoing Epidemic Threat Makoko, largely constructed on stilts over the Lagos Lagoon, suffers from the absence of a formal sewage system. Consequently, the water beneath the homes functions as both waste disposal and, on occasion, a source of domestic water. Waterborne Diseases: The sanitation deficiencies render the area a constant breeding ground for cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. In a densely populated city like Lagos, an outbreak originating in Makoko can propagate rapidly to the mainland via trade ...