‘I’m Not Aware’ — Wahab

There are indications that Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has again asked the Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, to resign amid persistent refuse accumulation across the state.

Online reports said the governor had become increasingly dissatisfied with Gbadegesin’s handling of the waste management crisis and had asked him to step down.

It would be the second time Sanwo-Olu had expressed displeasure with waste management in the state and reportedly directed the LAWMA chief to resign.

In September 2026, during an inspection of the Olusosun Dumpsite in Ojota, the governor threatened drastic restructuring at LAWMA and reportedly asked Gbadegesin to resign, describing his alleged non-performance as sabotage.

However, when contacted by journalists to confirm the reported sack, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said he was not aware of the development.

The agency’s Director of Public Affairs did not answer calls placed to him and had yet to respond to text messages sent to him as of the time of filing this report.

According to an insider, the governor’s displeasure stemmed from the slow pace of waste evacuation and the alleged failure of the LAWMA chief to act promptly on directives aimed at addressing the crisis.

“The governor was at the Olusosun Dumpsite in Ojota a month ago and was dissatisfied with the state of things. He gave instructions that immediate action be taken on the matter, as he has declared a state of emergency on waste management.

“The governor was upset when he observed that the situation had not improved despite his clear directive. So, over the weekend, he asked him to resign, although he is begging and has reached out to some prominent Lagosians to beg on his behalf,” the source said.

Residents across Lagos have repeatedly complained about worsening waste collection, with refuse accumulating along road medians, streets and major highways.

The problem has been reported in several parts of the state, including Ogba, Idimu, Ejigbo, Mushin, Egbeda, Surulere, Ajegunle, Ikorodu, Ojo, Obalende, Apapa and Mile 2, where residents have had to contend with decomposing refuse along streets and drainage channels.

The situation has raised concerns about environmental sanitation, public health, the impact on businesses and the state’s image.