LAWMA Reports Sharp Rise in Waste Evacuation as Upgraded Olusosun Facility Boosts Lagos Cleanup Efforts

LAGOS, Nigeria — The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) says significant infrastructure improvements at the Olusosun Disposal Facility have led to a major increase in waste evacuation operations, with truck activity at the site rising by more than 76% within a week.

According to the agency, the operational improvement follows the rehabilitation of the facility’s access road and the introduction of additional waste disposal platforms, measures designed to reduce traffic congestion, speed up truck movement, and strengthen waste collection across Lagos.

The development comes as Lagos continues to battle the challenges of managing waste generated by one of Africa’s fastest-growing urban populations, particularly during the rainy season when flooding and waste accumulation often disrupt sanitation efforts.

Over 18,000 Metric Tonnes of Waste Cleared in One Week

LAWMA disclosed that between July 28 and August 3, 2026, it processed 1,866 truck trips across its network of disposal facilities, evacuating approximately 18,660 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste statewide.

The figures were presented by LAWMA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin during an operational review meeting held at the agency’s headquarters in Ijora-Olopa.

The Olusosun Disposal Facility accounted for the largest share of activity, recording 1,012 truck trips during the reporting period. This represents an increase of 438 truck trips compared with 574 trips recorded in the previous week—an operational growth exceeding 76%.

Infrastructure Upgrades Improve Operational Efficiency

LAWMA attributed the increase primarily to recent infrastructure investments at the Olusosun facility.

Officials explained that the reconstructed access road has improved vehicle movement into and out of the landfill, while newly created disposal platforms have expanded the site’s capacity to receive waste simultaneously from multiple collection trucks.

The improvements have reportedly reduced truck waiting time, shortened turnaround periods, and enabled faster waste evacuation across several parts of Lagos.

Record Daily Performance Achieved

The agency also reported its strongest single-day performance during the review period.

On August 1, LAWMA processed 349 truck trips, equivalent to roughly 3,490 metric tonnes of municipal waste handled in one day, marking the highest daily operational output during the reporting window.

Other Disposal Facilities Continue Supporting Statewide Operations

While Olusosun handled the highest volume of waste, LAWMA said other facilities remain critical to the state’s waste management network.

These include:

• Ewu-Elepe Disposal Facility
• Badagry Disposal Facility
• Oke-Osho Disposal Facility
• Waste-to-Wealth Material Recovery Facility (WAEMRF) in Igando

The agency noted that coordinated operations among these facilities help distribute waste efficiently and reduce pressure on individual disposal sites.

Why This Matters

Lagos generates thousands of tonnes of municipal waste every day, making efficient collection and disposal essential for public health, environmental protection, and flood prevention.

Improved waste evacuation capacity is particularly important during the rainy season, when blocked drainage systems caused by improperly managed refuse can contribute to flooding and sanitation challenges.

The latest operational figures suggest that targeted infrastructure investments may be helping the state improve collection efficiency while addressing long-standing bottlenecks at one of its busiest disposal facilities.

What’s Next?

LAWMA says it intends to sustain the momentum through additional investments aimed at modernising Lagos’ waste management system.

Among the projects outlined by the agency are:

• Construction of modern Transfer Loading Stations.
• Expansion of recycling and material recovery infrastructure.
• Development of waste-to-energy projects.
• Procurement of additional compactor trucks.
• Continued transition toward an integrated waste management system built around recycling, resource recovery, and circular economy principles instead of reliance on traditional landfills.

The agency says these initiatives form part of the Lagos State Government’s broader strategy to improve environmental sustainability while strengthening waste collection services across the state.