Lafarge Africa Plc. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, through the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) on solid waste management.
The Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge, Mr. Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, said at the signing on Monday, February 17, 2025, in Lagos, that the initiative was in line with the company’s zero waste to landfill objective.
Alade-Akinyemi said the partnership with the Lagos state government is a unique opportunity to take a significant step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
He said that, with the MoU, Lafarge intended to collect non-recyclable and combustible waste and divert it to the Ewekoro Plant as alternative fuel for production.
He added that managing waste effectively remained critical to environmental stewardship, community well-being, and long-term economic development.
“By redirecting non-recyclable and combustible waste from companies and dump sites across Lagos to our Ewekoro plant, we are taking a significant step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
“All of these will be powered by Geocycle, our waste management arm,” he said.
The Lafarge boss noted that the partnership would strengthen its leadership in sustainable construction and climate action.
According to him, it will allow both parties to make meaningful contributions to sustainable waste management in Nigeria.
Alade-Akinyemi said that by mitigating methane emissions from decomposing waste and reducing CO₂ emissions from traditional cement production, the company was taking a crucial step in combating climate change.
He said: “We have successfully deployed waste-to-energy solutions globally, and today, we are extending that expertise to Lagos.
“The waste sourced through this partnership will be utilised as an alternative fuel in our cement kilns, replacing fossil fuels, reducing our carbon footprint, and contributing to Nigeria’s decarbonisation journey. ”
He said that beyond the immediate advantages to Lagos state and Lafarge, the broader environmental impact of the initiative remained profound.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to sustainable waste management and environmental preservation.
Wahab noted that the state is aiming for a zero-carbon footprint, saying that the MoU ticked the box for the ambitious target.
He said the partnership represented a significant step in the state’s journey toward achieving a cleaner and more sustainable city.
Wahab said the state recognised that waste management remained a critical component of its environmental policies.
He added that Lagos State remained committed to fostering innovative collaborations to help reduce waste, lower carbon emissions, and create a circular economy.
“This MoU reflects our shared vision for a Lagos where waste is effectively managed and utilised as a resource for economic growth and environmental sustainability,” he said.
Also, the Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, described the initiative as a milestone in the state’s journey toward a zero-waste future.
He said the partnership marked a historic step in the state’s efforts to achieve sustainable waste management.
Gbadegesin said the state had worked closely with Lafarge through extensive consultations, pilot studies, and site visits to ensure that the initiative is viable and impactful.
He noted that waste management is not just about disposal but about innovation and creating value.
“With this collaboration, we are setting a new precedence on how municipal solid waste is processed and repurposed.
“This development reinforces our vision of a circular economy where waste contributes to sustainable development rather than environmental degradation,” he said.
By Rukayat Moisemhe