Lagos waste crisis: Sanwo-Olu appoints acting LAWMA MD, orders redeployment of senior officers
AI Executive Briefing
Gemini Flash AI~45s readLagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has initiated a major administrative overhaul of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to combat a persistent waste crisis. The restructuring includes the appointment of Olajuwon Akinyemi as acting Managing Director and the mass redeployment of senior staff to the mainstream civil service.
Context & Background
- ✦Lagos generates approximately 14,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, making LAWMA's operational efficiency critical to public health.
- ✦The agency has faced significant public criticism over the last six months due to refuse accumulating on major roads, streets, and drainage channels.
Key Figures & Named Entities
Olajuwon Akinyemi:Appointed as acting Managing Director of LAWMA.Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin:Former Managing Director replaced following dissatisfaction with waste evacuation performance.14,000 tonnes:The approximate daily volume of municipal solid waste generated in Lagos.
Outlook & Next Steps
The new management team, led by Akinyemi, will oversee a 90-day stabilization period for key operational departments while the broader workforce restructuring continues.
Key Takeaways
AI Summary- Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has appointed Olajuwon Akinyemi as the acting Managing Director of LAWMA, replacing Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin.
- The leadership change is part of a comprehensive agency overhaul involving the mass redeployment of senior officers on Salary Grade Levels 13–17.
- The restructuring aims to address the persistent waste crisis in Lagos, where residents have faced worsening refuse accumulation for approximately six months.
Key Facts:August 2025 to early 2026: Residents across Lagos have experienced worsening waste collection and refuse accumulation for approximately six months.90 days: Heads of Landfill Operations, LAWMA Operations, and Private Sector Participation Operations are exempted from redeployment for a stabilization period.
Editorial Excerpt
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the appointment of Olajuwon Akinyemi as the acting Managing Director of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, replacing Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, PUNCH Online has learnt.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
Why was the former Managing Director of LAWMA replaced?
Governor Sanwo-Olu reportedly ordered the resignation of Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin due to dissatisfaction with the slow pace of waste evacuation and failure to act on directives regarding refuse littering the state.
Are all senior officers at LAWMA being redeployed?
No. Officers in the Legal Department are exempted to prevent disruption to legal matters, and heads of Landfill, Operations, and Private Sector Participation are exempted for 90 days to ensure continuity.
