LAWMA intensifies oversight amid Lagos waste concerns, withdraws 5 licenses

The Lagos Waste Management Authority has withdrawn the licences of five underperforming private waste operators and initiated a sweeping realignment of collection routes, as authorities move to tighten service delivery across Nigeria’s commercial capital.

The decision, announced Saturday by LAWMA’s managing director, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, follows what the agency described as a comprehensive operational review aimed at matching operator capacity with the city’s rapidly expanding waste generation.

Licences revoked over poor performance

Gbadegesin said the affected operators failed to meet required service standards, making regulatory action unavoidable in the interest of public health and environmental sustainability.

Those whose licences were withdrawn include Kenny JPS operating in Igando-Ikotun (Egan II), Clean Craft Nigeria Limited in Igando-Ikotun (Isheri-Oshun I), Doveroost Limited in Eti-Osa West, Dewayls in Orade (Ijegun Emure), and Pesjoy Ventures in Ejigbo (Bucknor II).

The move signals a stricter enforcement posture by LAWMA, particularly as Lagos continues to grapple with rising waste volumes driven by population growth and urban expansion.

Beyond the licence withdrawals, the agency also restructured waste collection routes in fast-developing areas where existing operators were struggling to keep up with demand.

Under the new arrangement, some operators will retain parts of their previous routes, while additional firms have been introduced to improve coverage and efficiency.

Operators affected by the route redistribution include Shekaz Global Limited in Isolo (Ishaga/Ire Akari axis) and Krestabol Waste Management in Ikorodu (Lowa).

Gbadegesin explained that in areas where development has outpaced the capacity of a single operator, redistributing responsibilities became necessary to ensure timely waste evacuation and prevent environmental risks.

He added that some operators voluntarily relinquished sections of their routes, allowing LAWMA to reassign those areas to better-equipped firms. These include Ayolade Oluwabukola Enterprises in Lagos Island East (Ajele axis) and Imperium Waste Services in Ayobo/Ipaja.

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The restructuring, according to the agency, is part of a broader effort to strengthen the Private Sector Participation (PSP) framework, improve accountability, and modernise waste management operations in the state.

Push for compliance and cleaner Lagos

Gbadegesin urged residents to cooperate with newly assigned operators and to patronise only LAWMA-accredited PSP providers, warning that unregulated waste disposal practices could undermine ongoing reforms.

He also reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to sustained monitoring, enforcement, and stakeholder engagement, positioning the latest intervention as a necessary step toward achieving a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos.

The overhaul comes at a time when pressure is mounting on city authorities to keep pace with the environmental demands of one of Africa’s fastest-growing urban centres.