The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has disclosed that Lagos State recycled 405.17 tonnes of electronic waste (e-waste) in 2025, reflecting a steady rise in formal recycling efforts.
The Managing Director of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, revealed this in an interview in Lagos, noting that the figure surpassed 355.15 tonnes recorded in 2024 and 305.63 tonnes in 2023.
E-waste includes discarded electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, batteries, refrigerators, and televisions. Due to the presence of toxic substances like lead and mercury, it is considered hazardous and requires specialised recycling processes.
Gbadegesin attributed the increase to intensified government efforts, including public awareness campaigns and the establishment of structured systems for safe e-waste management. He explained that the state has created a dedicated e-waste unit to oversee the sector and ensure proper handling and disposal.
According to him, e-waste in Lagos is managed through 17 certified recycling companies and approved collection centres. LAWMA directs waste to these facilities to guarantee environmentally safe processing while also regulating informal operators and enforcing compliance.
Despite the progress, stakeholders say significant challenges remain. Environmental expert Leslie Adogame of the Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development called for a more comprehensive approach, warning that e-waste contains harmful substances such as arsenic that pose serious health risks.
He emphasised the need for improved public awareness, noting that many residents are unaware of the dangers of improper disposal. Adogame also pointed to gaps in recycling capacity, weak collection systems, and inadequate infrastructure.
Similarly, Adedayo Adebayo of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) stressed the importance of awareness at the point of collection. She revealed that about 30 registered collectors operate within the state, working alongside regulators under Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks.
Adebayo added that LASEPA monitors corporate waste streams, enforces compliance, and prohibits unsafe practices such as open burning, which releases toxic pollutants into the environment.
Also speaking, Philip Jakpor highlighted low public awareness and poverty as key drivers of improper e-waste disposal, with many residents storing obsolete electronics or resorting to unsafe recycling methods.
Meanwhile, Friday Oku, President of the Association of Scrap and Wastepickers of Lagos, noted that the sector still relies heavily on informal activities. He called for the formalisation and training of waste pickers, as well as the provision of protective equipment and safer recycling tools.
Stakeholders collectively urged the government to scale up awareness campaigns, expand recycling infrastructure, and strengthen enforcement to effectively manage the growing volume of e-waste in Lagos.
