LASEPA unveils waste to wealth initiative in Lagos

Elegbede Abiodun

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has unveiled a household used cooking oil collection programme in collaboration with Ororo Waste Management and with the support of Shell, creating a new waste to wealth opportunity for thousands of micro entrepreneurs across the state.

The initiative, launched at the LASEPA Conference Room, Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, introduced dedicated collection kiosks where residents can deposit used cooking oil in exchange for incentives.

The scheme is designed to promote environmental protection, support the transition to cleaner energy, and uplift incomes in the informal sector.

LASEPA General Manager Dr Babatunde Ajayi stated that the project is in line with the agency’s priorities on climate action, public health, and waste to value solutions.

He noted that Lagos had the potential to unlock a minimum of $20 million from the global biofuel supply chain due to its population size and cooking patterns.

Dr Ajayi warned that improper disposal of used cooking oil contributes to blocked drains, flooding, road damage, groundwater pollution, and disease outbreaks.

He added that frequent reheating of cooking oil also poses serious health risks, making structured collection a vital public health intervention.

He explained that the programme would operate through collection points in all LASEPA zonal offices, including its headquarters, where residents will receive incentives for turning in used cooking oil.

According to him, linking environmental compliance to economic benefits would encourage voluntary participation and sustain the initiative long term.

Managing Director and Project Lead of Ororo Waste Management, Mr Ayo Banjo, said the launch marked the next phase of a plan to build a circular economy around used cooking oil in Lagos.

He noted that households generate between 50 and 60 percent of used cooking oil, making them central to the success of the initiative.