Lagos to Shut Down Olusosun and Igando Dumpsites After Health Report Exposes Risks
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced the shutdown of two major dumpsites in Lagos — Olusosun in Ojota and Solous III in Igando — following a damning investigative report by PUNCH Healthwise exposing the health dangers posed by unprotected waste scavenging in the state.
The report, published on March 16, 2025, revealed how scavengers at these dumpsites, and others such as those in Ikorodu, operate without any protective gear, using bare hands to sort through hazardous waste. This alarming situation raised serious public health concerns, especially for nearby residents and the environment.
In response, Sanwo-Olu on Monday confirmed a new strategic partnership with ZoomLion Nigeria, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group, aimed at overhauling Lagos’ waste management system. He said this agreement marks a major shift in how waste will be handled in the state moving forward.
According to the governor, the project will create over 5,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, while significantly improving urban hygiene standards. He stated, “We are taking steps in the right direction, towards cleaner streets, better health, and a more livable Lagos for all of us.”
The plan involves building a Transfer Loading Station at the Olusosun dumpsite, after which the site will be completely shut down. From there, 2,500 tonnes of waste daily will be redirected to a new Material Recovery Facility in Ikorodu. Similarly, a recovery center will be constructed at Solous III in Igando, where 1,500 tonnes of waste will be moved to another facility in Badagry.
This development directly responds to the investigation that found the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) falling short of its own vision of providing a healthier and more sustainable environment. Scavengers at LAWMA-managed dumpsites were found to be working without any protective equipment, contradicting the agency’s stated goals of regional leadership in waste management practices.
Despite previous government bans on cart pushers and wheelbarrow operators in 2018, unregulated street scavenging has remained a common sight in Lagos. The report highlighted how these scavengers now roam communities, sorting through trash in front of residential compounds and contributing to environmental degradation and public health risks.
With these dumpsite closures and new facilities, the Lagos State government aims to curb the spread of diseases, regulate waste sorting, and align its sanitation efforts with global environmental standards.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s decision has been praised by public health advocates as a critical step toward responsible waste disposal, though questions remain about how the state will enforce regulations on street scavengers and informal recycling practices.