Lagos Waste Forum to showcase power of Nigeria’s waste economy
By Uzor Odigbo
The Statewide Waste and Environmental Education Foundation (SWEEP) will be hosting the Lagos Waste Forum, a gathering aimed at transforming Nigeria’s approach to waste from a challenge into a billion Naira economy.
The highly anticipated two-day forum will be held from Tuesday, 2 December, to Wednesday, 3 December 2025, at the Radisson Blu, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
The forum, themed: “The Power of Nigeria’s Waste Economy,” will bring together policymakers, industry experts and stakeholders to discuss the transformative potential of waste as a driver of economic growth, innovation and environmental sustainability and chart a sustainable, circular economic roadmap for the nation.
The event will feature keynote addresses and panel discussions led by distinguished speakers, including His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, whose administration has championed progressive waste management reforms across the state.
Ambassador Obuesi Phillips, President/Chief Executive Officer of SWEEP Foundation, said the forum underscores the importance of collaboration between government, private sector, and communities in realising the potential of Nigeria’s waste management sector.
He said: “We are at a critical juncture where waste is no longer a burden but a resource.
The Lagos Waste Forum is, therefore, a clarion call to rethink, reimagine, and reinvest in our waste economy. From job creation to climate resilience, the possibilities are immense, and we must harness them with purpose and innovation.”
Ambassador Phillips added: ‘With the right policies, investment, and cross-sector collaboration, the waste sector holds the key to sustainable job creation, enhanced resource circularity, and environmental regeneration. Our collective efforts at this forum will chart a sustainable path forward and protect our environment for future generations.”
The programme will feature insightful panel discussions and technical sessions, and will serve as a nexus for sharing best practices, exploring circular economy principles, and fostering partnerships to accelerate Nigeria’s journey towards a greener, more sustainable future.
The event will also feature the announcement and crowning of the winners of the Lagos Waste Challenge, SWEEP Foundation’s flagship community-led waste management competition in Community Development Councils (CDCs) across Lagos State. The challenge provides the CDCs with the opportunity to showcase their creativity, innovation, and create lasting, sustainable environmental change in their neighbourhoods.
The Lagos Waste Forum is backed by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the European Union, Radisson Blu, City Scope Africa and International Labour Organisation (ILO).
