The waste management crisis in Lagos State appears to be worsening, with heaps of refuse growing larger across several communities as the Lagos State Waste Management Authority struggles to sustain waste evacuation efforts.
Weeks after residents and business owners raised concerns over uncollected waste, fresh observations by PUNCH Metro revealed that refuse dumps have expanded in parts of Oshodi, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Ilasamaja, Mushin, Idi Araba and Alimosho.When PUNCH Metro revisited parts of Oshodi on Saturday, fresh waste was seen being added daily to existing heaps along major roads and residential streets, with some locations gradually turning into what residents described as “mini dumpsites.”
At the entrance of Yusuf Street, large piles of refuse were seen blocking part of the frontage of a residential building, while similar scenes played out on adjoining streets.
An occupant of the building, who identified herself simply as Kemi, lamented that the situation had deteriorated despite previous complaints and media attention.
She said, “When you first came here, we thought something would be done. Instead, the refuse has increased. People keep dumping waste because there is nowhere else to take it. What you are seeing now is worse than before.”
Another resident, Korede Salau, warned that the growing heaps posed serious health risks to residents.
He said, “The smell is stronger now, and when it rains, dirty water from the refuse flows into the streets. Flies, mosquitoes and rodents are everywhere.”
The monthly environmental sanitation, which coincided with the visit, appeared to offer little relief, as residents complained that waste generated during previous clean-up exercises remained uncollected.
A trader, Biola, said the situation had begun to affect businesses in the area.
She said, “Once we clear the drains and gather the waste, the rain washes it back because the PSP operators don’t come to evacuate it. Some customers see the refuse and turn back.”
Residents also expressed fears that the mounting waste could worsen flooding as the rainy season intensifies, noting that several drainage channels are already partially blocked.
Another resident, Wasiu Adeoye, warned, “Once the rains become heavier, these drains will be completely blocked, and we will suffer the consequences.”
Private Sector Participants had earlier attributed the worsening crisis to difficulties accessing the Olusosun dumpsite in Ojota, the state’s largest waste disposal facility.
According to the operators, persistent congestion and long queues at the site have slowed waste evacuation across Lagos, leaving refuse to accumulate in many communities.
A waste management policy analyst, Philips Obuesi, said the recurring refuse crisis underscored the need for urgent reforms in the sector.
He noted that Lagos generates more than 13,000 metric tonnes of waste daily and warned that existing structures were struggling to cope with the demands of the state’s rapidly growing population.
He said, “Lagos generates over 13,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, making it one of the largest waste-producing cities in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, heaps of refuse are becoming a common sight in road medians, in markets and residential buildings across the state.”
Obuesi urged the state government to declare a state of emergency in the waste management sector and decentralise operations into district-based structures to improve efficiency and accountability.
He said, “Lagos cannot continue to treat a waste crisis of this magnitude as business as usual. The current framework is under pressure and requires urgent intervention.”
The analyst also called for stronger coordination among the PSP operators, recycling firms and community waste collectors, arguing that the challenge was more about management and logistics than capacity.
Efforts to get the reaction of LAWMA Managing Director, Muyiwa Gbedegesin, were unsuccessful as calls and WhatsApp messages sent to him were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.
