The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has launched a youth-focused initiative aimed at increasing young people’s participation in waste management and promoting sustainable environmental practices across Lagos State.
Speaking at the launch, LAWMA’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the programme was designed to equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to support responsible waste management and contribute to Lagos’ circular economy ambitions.
The disclosure was contained in a statement issued by LAWMA’s Director of Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi.
Gbadegesin, who was represented at the event by LAWMA’s Executive Director of Finance, Kunle Adebiyi, said the initiative began with about 60 young people drawn from the National Youth Council of Nigeria, National Association of Nigerian Students, Lagos Watch Alliance and Youths for Sustainability.
He said the programme would promote youth participation in waste management through knowledge-sharing, advocacy, engagement and collaboration.
“The idea is to expose young people to waste management operations, waste-to-energy, circular economy, composting, recycling and the roles expected of LAWMA and citizens in achieving a cleaner Lagos,” he said.
Gbadegesin said the authority was also seeking to create opportunities for young entrepreneurs to participate in emerging green industries and would work with youth and community organisations to promote sustainable waste management.
He added that the initiative would provide a platform for young people to engage directly with LAWMA, share ideas and raise concerns about waste management, while improving communication between the authority and youth groups.
The LAWMA chief urged participants to take the message of responsible waste disposal to their communities, schools and social networks, stressing that sustainable waste management required active participation from residents.
He said LAWMA would continue to strengthen waste collection, enforcement, recycling and resource recovery while working with stakeholders to develop practical responses to the state’s waste management challenges.
Government backs youth participation
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, Dr Gaji Tajudeen, represented by the Director of Scientific Services, Mrs Yewande Obasa, commended LAWMA for involving young people in the state’s environmental agenda.
He urged participants to become ambassadors for the Cleaner Lagos vision by promoting responsible waste disposal and environmental awareness among their peers and within their communities.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Quadri Odewunmi, pledged the support of participating youth organisations for LAWMA’s initiatives.
He said the groups would mobilise young people for clean-up exercises, advocacy campaigns and grassroots environmental sensitisation.
Participants also held discussions with LAWMA management on issues including waste collection, enforcement, community monitoring, illegal dumping, the activities of scavengers and cart pushers, recycling, material recovery facilities and the development of a circular economy.
They also explored ways of strengthening partnerships between LAWMA, youth organisations and local communities.
As part of the initiative’s next phase, participating organisations are expected to expand advocacy and clean-up activities through their respective networks.
LAWMA will facilitate periodic training sessions, stakeholder engagements and visits to its facilities, while establishing youth-focused communication channels and recognising impactful youth-led environmental initiatives.
The programme will also explore community-based circular economy projects, broader stakeholder engagement and media advocacy to increase youth participation in environmental management.
LAWMA said it remained committed to working with young people as strategic partners in promoting responsible waste management and building a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos.
