The 5th Lagos Waste Forum, set to hold on December 2 and 3, 2024, at Radisson Blu, Ikeja, Lagos, will bring together global institutions, top government officials, and industry leaders to discuss innovative solutions to Nigeria’s waste management challenges.
According to a statement by Amb. Obuesi Phillips, President of the Lagos Waste Forum, the event themed “Unlocking Nigeria’s Green Potential: Waste Reduction, Recycling, and Circular Economy Pathways to Jobs, Business, and Sustainability” will feature organizations like the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), International Labour Organisation (ILO), and the European Union (EU), alongside corporate players such as Coca-Cola.
Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of Lagos State Governor, will officially open the forum, while Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, is slated to deliver the keynote address. Mr. Ola Oresanya, Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, will give an in-depth lecture on “Waste Management in Nigeria: Challenges and Opportunities.”
The forum, tagged “Future of Waste Forum,” will feature a panel discussion hosted by UNIDO, ILO, and the EU, with notable contributors including Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, MD of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA); Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, GM of LASEPA; Prof. Lucian Chukwu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG; and Mrs. Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, Senior Director at Coca-Cola.
A highlight of this year’s event is the ongoing Lagos Waste Challenge, an initiative promoting community-driven waste reduction strategies. Organized in collaboration with Technoserve Nigeria, the challenge encourages individuals, organizations, and communities to share practical solutions on waste management via the hashtag #LagosWasteChallenge.
The forum is spearheaded by the Statewide Waste and Environmental Education Foundation, in partnership with Coca-Cola and the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. It aims to leverage the economic value of plastic waste to foster sustainable development while addressing Nigeria’s waste pollution crisis.