By Our Correspondent
Lagos, April 15, ’26 (TNZ) Experts in environmental management and sustainability have called for the adoption of digitally-driven waste management systems and increased citizen responsibility to tackle Nigeria’s growing waste crisis.
TheNewsZenith reports that the experts made the call during the SHEnovation Hackathon 2026 expert webinar in Lagos. The Lagos Chapter of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) organised the webinar.
The event, themed “Environmental Science and Sustainability in Waste Management”, brought together policymakers, engineers and sustainability advocates.
Delivering a keynote, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), said Nigeria generates about 87,671 tonnes of waste daily.
According to him, this accounts for roughly 2.5 per cent of global waste output.
Dr Essien Nsuabia, the Deputy Director, Waste Management, Research & Policy Development, LAWMA, represented the LAWMA boss at the event.
Gbadegesin said while advanced countries, like Sweden, had reduced landfill waste to near zero through conversion technologies, many African cities still struggle to collect only 20 to 30 per cent of their waste.
“About 70 to 80 per cent of waste generated in sub-Saharan African cities remains uncollected, posing serious environmental and public health risks.
“Lagos generates over 13,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, stressing that traditional waste collection methods are no longer sufficient.
“LAWMA had begun deploying digitally-enabled waste management systems. This includes smart bins embedded with Radio Frequency Identification and geotagging technology,” TheNewsZenith quotes Gbadegesin as saying.
According to him, the system allows real-time monitoring of waste levels, optimises collection routes and ensures operational accountability.
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Also speaking, Jumoke Olowookere, EcoPreneur and Creative Director, African Creative Sustainable Synergy Hub, urged individuals to take responsibility for waste management through behavioural change.
Olowookere said the average individual generates about 0.5 kilogrammes of waste daily and stressed that sustainable practices must begin at the household level.
“We cannot rely on the government alone. Waste is man-made, and everyone generating it must take responsibility for managing it,” she said.
Olowookere highlighted practical solutions including waste segregation, composting and adherence to the “5Rs” principle — reduce, reuse, recycle, refuse and repair, alongside upcycling.
She also advocated home gardening using composted organic waste, warning that excessive chemical use in food production poses health risks.
Earlier, the Chairman of the APWEN Lagos Chapter, Mrs Bosede Oyekunle, said the webinar aimed to foster innovation, mentorship, and collaboration between professionals and young engineers.
Oyekunle noted that this was to develop practical, technology-driven solutions for environmental challenges.
She emphasised the role of digital innovation, engineering expertise and grassroots participation in achieving sustainable waste management and national development.
The chairman called for innovation and collaboration to tackle sustainable waste management, describing the session as a platform to drive practical, technology-driven solutions.
She reaffirmed Lagos APWEN’s commitment to empowering women engineers and young innovators. This is to develop ideas that address real-world environmental challenges and support national development. (TNZ)
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