Lagos Eyes Waste-to-Energy Partnerships to Tackle Climate Challenges – Commissioner Wahab

The Lagos State Government has expressed its commitment to partnering with investors on waste-to-energy initiatives, as part of broader efforts to promote sustainable waste management and strengthen climate adaptation strategies.

This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, during a panel discussion at the Harvard University Climate Action Week, themed “Rising Seas, Resilient Communities: Climate Adaptation Strategies in West Africa.”

Wahab noted that with a population exceeding 20 million and an estimated 13,000 metric tonnes of waste generated daily, Lagos is prioritizing a climate-resilient model that treats waste as a resource rather than a burden.

He revealed that the state has already developed a climate adaptation and resilience plan, conducted pre-feasibility studies on waste-to-energy and wastewater projects, and entered into a contractual agreement with a Ghana-based firm to process part of its daily waste into compost, recyclable plastics, and fertilizer.

“If the current agreement is successfully implemented, we plan to decommission major landfill sites such as Olusosun and Solous. These initiatives highlight our commitment to collaborative progress,” Wahab said.

Highlighting the environmental risks facing Lagos as a coastal city including sea level rise, flash floods, heatwaves, and intense rainfall Wahab emphasized the state’s ongoing investments in drainage infrastructure and the enforcement of environmental regulations, particularly those prohibiting construction on flood-prone areas.

He also raised concerns about the city’s expanding landmass from 3,577 to 4,050 square kilometers driven by land reclamation. He stressed that all reclamation projects must secure Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approvals and integrate comprehensive drainage master plans to effectively manage stormwater and mitigate flooding risks.