LAGOS/Nigeria: Environmental management and sustainability experts have called for the urgent adoption of digitally-driven waste management systems alongside stronger citizen responsibility to address Nigeria’s escalating waste crisis.
The call was made during the SHEnovation Hackathon 2026 Expert Webinar organised by the Lagos Chapter of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), where stakeholders stressed that technology and behavioural change remain critical to achieving sustainable waste management.
The webinar, which brought together policymakers, engineers and sustainability advocates, was themed “Environmental Science and Sustainability in Waste Management,” focusing on innovative solutions to Nigeria’s growing environmental challenges.
Delivering a keynote address, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, revealed that Nigeria generates about 87,671 tonnes of waste daily, representing roughly 2.5 per cent of global waste output.
Gbadegesin, who was represented by Dr Essien Nsuabia, Deputy Director, Waste Management, Research and Policy Development at LAWMA, noted that while countries like Sweden have reduced landfill waste to near zero through advanced conversion technologies, many African cities still struggle to collect only 20 to 30 per cent of generated waste.
“About 70 to 80 per cent of waste generated in sub-Saharan African cities remains uncollected, posing serious environmental and public health risks,” he said.
He further disclosed that Lagos alone generates over 13,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, warning that conventional waste collection methods are increasingly inadequate to meet the growing demand.
According to him, LAWMA has begun deploying digitally-enabled waste management systems, including smart bins embedded with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and geotagging technology to improve efficiency.
“With these digital tools, waste collection can be tracked, costs can be monitored, and payments can be tied strictly to work done, eliminating inefficiencies and revenue leakages,” he explained, adding that the initiative, though still at pilot stage, holds significant promise for scaling across the state.
Gbadegesin called for stronger collaboration with engineers and innovators to expand the system, emphasising the importance of developing local technologies, data systems and infrastructure.
Also speaking, EcoPreneur and Creative Director of African Creative Sustainable Synergy Hub, Jumoke Olowookere, urged individuals to take greater responsibility for waste management through conscious behavioural change.
She noted that the average individual generates about 0.5 kilogrammes of waste daily, stressing that sustainable waste practices must begin at the household level.
“We cannot rely on government alone. Waste is man-made, and everyone generating it must take responsibility for managing it,” she said.
Olowookere advocated practical measures such as waste segregation, composting, and adherence to the “5Rs” principle—reduce, reuse, recycle, refuse and repair—alongside upcycling as effective strategies for reducing waste.
She also encouraged home gardening using composted organic waste, warning against the health risks associated with excessive chemical use in food production.
“Up to 99 per cent of food from conventional markets may contain chemicals. Growing even a portion of your food helps detoxify your system and promotes healthier living,” she added.
Earlier, the Chairman of APWEN Lagos Chapter, Mrs Bosede Oyekunle, said the webinar was designed to foster innovation, mentorship and collaboration between professionals and young engineers in developing practical, technology-driven environmental solutions.
Oyekunle emphasised the importance of digital innovation, engineering expertise and grassroots participation in achieving sustainable waste management and national development, describing the platform as a catalyst for practical and scalable solutions.
She reaffirmed the chapter’s commitment to empowering women engineers and young innovators to address real-world environmental challenges, urging participants to actively engage with experts and leverage insights gained.
In her remarks, Chairman of the SHEnovation Hackathon Planning Committee, Dr Olayinka Adewumi, said the initiative aims to raise awareness on sustainability and bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Adewumi encouraged engineers to critically assess environmental challenges and existing solutions while exploring areas for improvement, noting that the platform connects students and innovators with professionals and mentors for knowledge exchange.
She added that the initiative focuses on developing practical solutions rather than merely identifying problems, with the Lagos Chapter facilitating meaningful collaboration between experienced experts and emerging innovators.
