LAWMA partners UNIDO, FBRA to combat plastic waste in Lagos
…Signs position paper to formalise collaboration
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has entered into a strategic alliance with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) to confront the growing challenge of plastic waste in Lagos State.
This partnership is part of a broader initiative to promote sustainable plastic waste solutions through circular economy principles, with financial support from the Government of Japan.
Details of the collaboration were shared in a statement issued by LAWMA’s Director of Public Affairs, Folashade Kadiri. The initiative—formally titled “UNIDO Project 210184: Promoting Sustainable Plastic Value Chains through Circular Economy Practices”—is designed to curb plastic pollution at its origin while strengthening Nigeria’s capacity for eco-friendly industrial development.
As part of the project, four plastic waste collection facilities and thirty designated pick-up points are to be established across the Lekki and Lagos Mainland areas.
LAWMA will provide land and core infrastructure for the centres, while UNIDO and FBRA will jointly fund the project and spearhead public education campaigns—reinforcing the shared ambition to achieve zero plastic waste in the long term.
Speaking at the launch, LAWMA’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, revealed that two sites—one in Lekki and another on the Lagos Mainland—have already been secured. He also mentioned ongoing discussions with a local school on the Mainland to incorporate an educational facility alongside the recycling centre, a move intended to encourage environmental literacy and community engagement.
Dr Osuji Otu, National Programme Officer at the UNIDO Sub-Regional Office in Abuja, spoke about the significance of the collaboration in setting a positive precedent for the country’s environmental future. “LAWMA, UNIDO, and FBRA are collectively advancing Nigeria’s journey toward environmental progress. We have chosen Lagos and Abuja as the primary locations for the pilot phase of this initiative,” he explained.
“In Abuja, we are working in partnership with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB); in Lagos, our focus is on working closely with LAWMA and FBRA to implement the model.”
He added that the project is designed as a replicable model. “We want this pilot to succeed in such a way that it can be adopted nationwide. Its success will be a reference point for future initiatives, helping to attract more funding and expand this framework to other regions.”
Dr Otu called on other relevant stakeholders to adopt similar efforts, stressing the global urgency around sustainable environmental practices, particularly with regard to managing plastic waste.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Kunle Adebiyi, LAWMA’s Executive Director of Finance, reflected on the project’s origins. “This initiative was launched in 2022 by UNIDO to build capacity for recycling and drive collaboration that supports larger environmental goals. It aligns with LAWMA’s mission to advance responsible waste management and ecological sustainability in Lagos. We are confident that this project will significantly contribute to that mission.”
To ensure effective execution, a project implementation committee has been established. The team—comprising representatives from UNIDO, LAWMA, and FBRA—will be responsible for monitoring progress, selecting qualified private-sector recycling operators, and addressing any operational issues that may arise.
FBRA, a central partner in this venture, will lead the community engagement component in the target locations of Lekki and Lagos Mainland. As a recognised Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO), FBRA is tasked with driving compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations now mandatory in Nigeria’s food and beverage industry.
This joint effort is a response to mounting concerns about plastic pollution, which poses serious risks to ecosystems and public health. By prioritising recycling, encouraging waste reduction, and generating green employment opportunities, the project serves as a major step toward reinforcing the circular economy in both Lagos and Abuja.
The initiative is expected to run through to September 2026. However, both LAWMA and FBRA have expressed their intention to continue their cooperation well beyond the official project timeline, ensuring its sustainability and long-term impact.
Among those present at the launch were the General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr Babatunde Ajayi; Executive Director of FBRA, Agharese Onaghise; UNIDO’s National Programme Coordinator, Oluyomi Banjo; and members of LAWMA’s executive management team
