LAWMA Hosts Lecture on Biogas Solutions, Seeks Stronger Collaboration in Waste Management
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has taken a bold step in addressing global environmental challenges by exploring biogas solutions through a strategic knowledge-sharing platform tagged the "Lunch and Learn" lecture series.
Held at LAWMA’s headquarters in Ijora-Olopa, the event carried the theme: “Catalyzing Innovation through Collaboration: Unleashing the Power of the Triple Helix of Government, Industry and Academia.”
In his welcome address, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, described the series as an informal yet intellectually stimulating platform aimed at promoting research, driving dialogue, and enhancing capacity within the agency.
“This programme draws from academic tradition where such sessions have proved pivotal to intellectual and personal development. At LAWMA, we are not just about logistics—we are a scientific organization with trained scientific officers. Addressing waste management challenges in our region requires research, innovation, and strategic partnerships. That is what this series is all about,” Dr. Gbadegesin explained.
The keynote lecture was delivered by Prof. Mats Eklund, an internationally renowned expert in sustainability and scientific leader of the Biogas Research Center at Linköping University, Sweden. Prof. Eklund highlighted the transformative potential of biogas in tackling major environmental issues such as air pollution, climate change, water contamination, and soil degradation.
He shared findings from successful biogas projects across the world and stressed the importance of innovation driven by collaboration. “Waste should not be seen as dirt or a hazard. It is a resource, an opportunity. Changing this perception is key to sustainable development,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Tajudeen Omobolaji Gaji, thanked Prof. Eklund for his insights and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to fostering cross-sector collaboration to address environmental issues.
LAWMA’s Executive Director of Finance, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi, emphasized the agency’s ambition to leverage technology in positioning Lagos as a leader in modern waste management, stating that biogas research is a prime example of the untapped potential within the sector.
A dynamic question-and-answer session followed, with participants exploring practical ways to apply biogas solutions in Lagos and beyond.
The event was attended by key stakeholders, including Engr. Adebola Sabi, Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Environment Parastatals; Mr. Adedoyin Lasisi, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources; Mr. Akin Alabi, Managing Director of Zoomlion Nigeria; and top academics from the University of Lagos.
The Lunch and Learn Series is the first in a line-up of initiatives by LAWMA to foster innovation, encourage sustainable practices, and strengthen partnerships among government, industry, and academia in tackling environmental challenges.
Signed:
Folashade Kadiri (Mrs)
Director, Public Affairs
April 10, 2025
