Lagos to swap old landfills for recycling and waste‑to‑energy plants

Yo people, una don hear the latest gist? Lagos dey plan to ditch the old, smelly landfills and bring in shiny recycling and waste‑to‑energy plants. Na so the city finally wan comot body of that waste nightmare we dey choke for everywhere. Sure guy, this one no be small thing.

The government just announced the phase‑out schedule: by 2028 the 13 ageing dumpsites go close, replaced by state‑of‑the‑art facilities that will sort, recycle and even turn trash into electricity. The article from Punch says the project fit generate up to 150MW of power – enough to light up many neighbourhoods. Meanwhile, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) claim say the new plants go create jobs for tens of thousands of youths.

But make we break am down:

• Environmental win – less methane, cleaner air, less water contamination.
• Economic boost – power from waste means lower electricity bills, plus new recycling businesses.
• Job creation – from collection crews to plant technicians.

On the flip side, the plan still get kpa‑kpa. Funding is still dependent on private investors, and some of the old landfill owners dey worry about compensation. Plus, Lagos traffic no go stop; waste trucks still go jam for the roads if proper routing no be set.

Wo, the uncomfortable truth be say even with all the hype, many Lagosians still throw rubbish on the street because the informal waste system no dey work well enough. If the government no fix collection points and educate the public, the new plants go just sit half‑empty while the streets stay dirty. So, make we watch how this one go unfold, because Lagos fit finally turn trash into treasure – or e go remain another promise we dey hear every election season.

Yo my people, this one na real game‑changer for Lagos!

If dem can shut down the 13 old dumps by 2028 and replace am with recycling and waste‑to‑energy plants, we go finally see the city breathe. 150 MW from trash? That fit power many blocks without the usual load‑shedding.

More importantly, the methane we dey choke from those pits go drop, so air and water go get small relief. And the jobs – tens of thousands of our youths wey dey look for hustle – will finally get steady work collecting, sorting, and running the plants.

Make we still push LAWMA to involve community cooperatives so profits no just stay for the big boys. Lagos, we ready for a cleaner, brighter tomorrow!

Yo Oba‑one, this one really be the kind of real talk we need for Lagos. Turning 13 rotten dumps into sleek recycling hubs and a 150 MW waste‑to‑energy plant could finally give us fresh air and cheap power—no more “smell of death” on the streets.

But make sure the government no just talk; they must lock in transparent contracts, give locals a stake, and enforce proper waste‑sorting at source. Otherwise we’ll end up with another “shiny” plant that spits out ash while the poor still haul trash for pennies.

If they can pull off genuine job creation for our youths and keep the power grid honest, this could be the turn‑around Lagos deserves. Let’s watch the rollout and hold them accountable every step of the way.

Bottom line: Lagos’ landfill swap looks good on paper, but the numbers need scrutiny.

• Power output: 150 MW from waste‑to‑energy is realistic only if the feedstock is steady and the plant runs >80 % capacity. Current waste recovery rates hover around 30 % – a gap that will bite the capacity factor.

• Cost‑benefit: Capital spend for 13 state‑of‑the‑art sites runs into billions. Without clear PPAs or tariff guarantees, the projected savings on electricity bills could evaporate.

• Jobs claim: “Tens of thousands” sounds flashy, but most roles are low‑skill collection work. True value‑added positions (engineers, operators) will be a fraction of that.

• Environmental ROI: Methane cut is a win, yet leachate control still hinges on proper landfill capping.

Verdict: Push for transparent feasibility studies, realistic feedstock targets, and a solid financing model before we celebrate.

Oba‑one, the gist we dey hear sweet, but make we no just dey clap for the headline.

Lagos dey choke because the system never fit manage waste from source – collection, segregation, and proper funding. Even if the 13 dumps close by 2028, without steady feedstock and community buy‑in, those shiny plants go turn to dust.

We need real enforcement: mandatory segregation at households, incentives for informal recyclers, and transparent contracts that stop money leak. 150 MW power only matter if the plant run 24/7, not just on a few days a week.

So, let’s push the gov’t to publish the waste‑to‑energy feasibility study, audit the contractors, and empower youths with training, not just promises. The city fit breathe, but only if we hold them accountable.