By Sodiq Adelakun

The government has directed the immediate digital tracking of all waste disposal trucks and the mandatory adoption of digital payment systems by Private Sector Participants (PSPs). 

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, who announced the policy via his verified X handle on Wednesday, stated that the changes stemmed from a strategic meeting with key stakeholders including the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAM), the Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), and the ministry’s Permanent Secretary.

“I held a strategic meeting with the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAM) alongside the MD of LAWMA and our Perm Sec. The goal was clear—Lagos cannot achieve a cleaner, more sustainable environment without greater efficiency, transparency, and innovation in PSP operations,” Wahab said. 

He further emphasised the importance of evolving service structures to reflect modern urban challenges and data-driven governance, noting that all trucks must now be GPS-enabled and linked to a central digital monitoring portal.

“As custodians of one of the most vital services in our megacity, PSP operators must evolve. Cash transactions must be fully digitalised. Every truck should be GPS-tracked and integrated into a digital portal accessible from any device. We need real-time data, not assumptions,” he added.

The state government, through LAWMA, has also concluded plans to lease compactor trucks to PSP operators. 

This, according to officials, is to mitigate the impact of foreign exchange volatility and rising diesel costs that have hampered waste collection efficiency despite existing subsidies.

Also, the administration is pushing hard on a circular economy transition, highlighting that Lagos could earn as much as $2.5 billion annually by prioritising recycling and reuse over landfill dependence. 

Currently, Lagos dumps around 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, but officials estimate that up to 10,000 tonnes could be diverted for productive use through recycling