Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, to resign following a prolonged waste management crisis across the state.
The directive follows months of mounting refuse in residential neighbourhoods, major roads and drainage channels, raising concerns about environmental sanitation and public health.
According to Punch reports, Sanwo-Olu became dissatisfied with the pace of waste evacuation and the authority’s response to repeated directives aimed at addressing the situation.
In September 2026, the governor inspected the Olusosun dumpsite in Ojota and declared a state of emergency on waste collection. However, the reported failure to achieve significant improvements intensified concerns over LAWMA’s handling of the crisis. The situation has also been compounded by fires at the Olusosun and Solous 3 dumpsites, alongside operational challenges involving Private Sector Participation (PSP) waste collection operators.
In response to the operational shortcomings, LAWMA withdrew the licences of six PSP operators accused of poor performance.
Communities reportedly affected by the refuse accumulation include Mushin, Surulere, Egbeda, Ajegunle, Ikorodu, Ojo, Obalende, Apapa and Mile 2, where residents have faced overflowing waste and offensive odours.
However, the growing waste crisis has raised questions about the effectiveness of the state’s waste collection system and the capacity of relevant agencies to maintain environmental standards across Lagos.
The reported resignation directive represents a major development in the state government’s efforts to address the crisis, although the effectiveness of any administrative changes will depend on sustained improvements in waste collection, transportation and disposal.
By Musekir Faisat OmolaraÂ
