Nigeria’s Waste Management Crisis: Why Lagos and Abuja Are Still Struggling With Refuse

Nigeria’s Waste Management Crisis: Why Lagos and Abuja Are Still Struggling With Refuse

Nigeria’s waste management crisis continues to raise concerns as residents of Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, contend with refuse accumulation despite government interventions aimed at improving sanitation.

From overflowing collection points to waste heaps along major roads, the situation has renewed questions about the effectiveness of waste collection systems, the capacity of private operators and the infrastructure available to handle the growing volume of waste generated in the country’s major cities.

In Abuja, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike approved the engagement of 54 waste management contractors in November 2025 as part of efforts to address the deteriorating sanitation situation across the territory.

The contractors, selected from more than 500 applicants, were expected to commence operations under a new waste management arrangement on November 17, 2025.

At a meeting with the contractors on November 14, Wike warned that payments would be tied to performance and threatened to terminate the contracts of operators who failed to clear refuse in their assigned areas. He also announced plans to establish a task force to monitor their activities and directed officials to verify the capacity of companies awarded multiple locations.

The intervention followed growing concerns about waste accumulation in parts of the capital, including satellite towns where residents had complained about irregular refuse collection.

However, subsequent developments suggest that the challenge has persisted beyond the initial intervention.

In February 2026, Wike issued a three-day ultimatum to waste contractors to clear refuse in parts of Abuja’s satellite towns following an inspection of areas around Karu, Bwari, Kubwa and the Apo–Karshi road corridor.

The minister expressed concern over waste heaps along the Orozo–Apo–Karshi road and warned that contractors who failed to meet their obligations risked losing their contracts.

In March, the FCT Administration approved ₦7.3 billion in contracts covering waste collection and management services in four districts, alongside a two-year diesel supply arrangement for the Wupa Basic Waste Treatment Plant.

On September 30, the administration announced the ratification of waste collection and management contracts covering 40 delineated districts, valued at ₦5.96 billion. It also approved a two-year contract worth ₦488.39 million for the evacuation and routine maintenance of communal waste collection points along Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Way.

Although the approvals indicate continued government spending and efforts to strengthen waste management, the recurring need for additional contracts and emergency directives raises questions about the sustainability of the arrangements introduced in November.

The FCT Administration had also introduced WhatsApp reporting channels in December 2025 to enable residents to submit pictures and videos of uncleared refuse. The effectiveness of such measures, however, depends on how quickly complaints are investigated and resolved.

In Lagos, the challenge is compounded by the sheer volume of waste generated daily in Nigeria’s most populous state.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) reported in October 2026 that the state generates between 13,000 and 16,000 tonnes of waste daily, while approximately 13,200 tonnes were being evacuated on average across operational corridors by the authority and private-sector participants.

The figures highlight the pressure on the state’s collection, transportation and disposal infrastructure, where even substantial evacuation efforts may not prevent refuse from accumulating in areas affected by service gaps.

In September, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu declared what he described as a “small state of emergency” on waste management following an inspection of the Olusosun landfill.

The governor announced plans to improve the facility’s capacity to receive waste trucks, deploy additional equipment and reopen more disposal locations. The state also ordered 160 new compactor trucks to strengthen waste collection operations.

The intervention followed concerns about congestion at disposal facilities, with waste trucks reportedly spending hours waiting to discharge their loads before returning to collect more refuse.

Such delays can reduce the number of trips operators complete daily, leaving collection points and residential areas vulnerable to backlogs even when trucks and personnel are available.

On October 6, LAWMA withdrew the operating licences of six private-sector waste collection operators following concerns about their ability to provide effective services in their assigned areas. Five operators had their licences terminated after operational assessments, while another voluntarily withdrew from its service area.

Five other operators had also lost their licences in May following a review of their operations.

While the measures demonstrate efforts to enforce service standards, the repeated withdrawal of licences raises questions about how operators are assessed before receiving assignments and how authorities ensure uninterrupted collection when a contractor fails to deliver.

The experiences of Lagos and Abuja point to challenges that extend beyond the number of contractors engaged or vehicles deployed.

Waste management involves a chain of activities, from household collection and transportation to sorting, recycling, treatment and final disposal. When one part of the system fails, the consequences can spread across entire communities.

In Lagos, congestion at disposal facilities can slow down collection, while inadequate processing and recycling capacity increases dependence on landfills. In Abuja, the effectiveness of collection contracts depends on whether operators have the equipment, personnel and financial resources to serve their assigned areas consistently.

The financial sustainability of waste collection is another concern. Private operators face rising expenses associated with fuel, vehicle maintenance, personnel and transportation. Where service charges are insufficient or collection arrangements are unreliable, operators may struggle to maintain regular schedules.

Residents, meanwhile, expect dependable services and may resort to informal collection or indiscriminate dumping when approved disposal arrangements fail them.

The environmental and public health implications are significant. Accumulated refuse can attract pests, create unsanitary conditions and obstruct drainage channels, increasing flooding risks during heavy rainfall. Poorly managed plastic waste also contributes to pollution in waterways and other public spaces.

As urban populations grow and consumption increases, both cities face mounting pressure to expand their waste management capacity while reducing the volume of waste sent directly to landfills.

Experts and environmental advocates have increasingly called for greater investment in recycling, waste separation and material recovery, alongside improvements in collection and disposal infrastructure.

For Lagos and Abuja, this would require more than emergency clean-ups. Authorities would need to establish clear performance standards for contractors, publish regular service delivery data, monitor complaints and ensure that collection schedules are maintained.

Investment in transfer stations, material recovery facilities and treatment infrastructure could also help reduce congestion at disposal sites. Public education and enforcement would need to be accompanied by accessible and reliable waste collection services.

The central question is whether the interventions announced by both administrations will translate into sustained improvements in the daily lives of residents.

In Abuja, the engagement of 54 contractors in November 2025 was expected to improve sanitation, yet subsequent ultimatums and additional contract approvals show that waste management remains an ongoing concern. In Lagos, plans for additional trucks, improvements to disposal facilities and the removal of underperforming operators reflect continuing efforts to address the problem.

Ultimately, the success of these measures will depend on whether refuse is collected consistently, disposal facilities operate efficiently and residents experience cleaner surroundings beyond periodic government interventions.

Until waste collection, transportation, recycling and disposal are managed as parts of a coordinated and accountable system, Lagos and Abuja may continue to face recurring sanitation challenges despite repeated government spending and enforcement measures.

Blessing Anolaba

Editorial & Creative Correspondent
A storyteller and journalist passionate about telling stories for policy change and impact.