Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday said the concept of circular economy has inspired the state government to adopt innovative approaches that help reclaim value from resources that are currently being wasted.
The Governor made this known at the 2026 Nigeria Circular Economy Week held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island. He spoke through the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab.
Sanwo-Olu said the aim of the state government is to ensure that the systems being built will outlast the present administration. He explained that the circular economy has helped Lagos create systems that keep materials in circulation and build markets that turn environmental responsibility into economic opportunities.
He described the theme of the event, “Turning Challenges into Markets,” as very apt. According to him, it captures how the state sees sustainability not as a distant goal, but as a practical approach to competitiveness, resilience and inclusive growth.
The Governor said the state has taken bold steps to restore order in urban areas. These include clearing illegal structures under bridges, removing blockages along drainage paths and reclaiming public land that had become unsafe and environmentally risky.
Sanwo-Olu stated that these actions are essential for public safety, flood prevention and environmental protection. He added that they also represent something deeper, which is the reclamation of land and infrastructure as valuable assets.
He explained that when the government clears drainage channels, it extends the life of roads and other public works. “When encroachments are removed, it restores natural flows of water which lowers the risk of flood,” he said.
The Governor further stated that reclaiming under-bridge spaces creates opportunities for organised public use. These uses may include transport hubs, markets, green spaces and community facilities. He maintained that environmental enforcement aligns with the principles of a circular economy because it brings value back to spaces and systems that had lost their productive potential.
Speaking on the next phase, Sanwo-Olu said the government plans to transform enforcement successes into economic opportunities. He noted that demolition and clearance efforts often produce recoverable materials such as metals, timber and plastics. He added that reclaimed areas can also become hubs for repairs, recycling and green businesses.
According to him, flood-resilient infrastructure helps to minimise material loss and replacement costs while safeguarding public investments. He also said that bringing informal waste workers into organised recovery systems can enhance livelihoods and strengthen material supply chains.
“These are tangible ways to turn environmental actions into market opportunities,” the Governor said.
He revealed that the government is also focused on locking in the progress already made. This includes strengthening regulatory clarity to support Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks and expanding recycling infrastructure through partnerships between the public and private sectors.
Sanwo-Olu added that the state is supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, that turn waste into marketable products. He said the government is aligning public procurement with recycled and sustainable materials and formalising pathways for recovering materials from demolition and clearance activities.
While noting that the government can set the direction, he stressed that collaboration is what builds markets. “Lagos State government is inviting investors to back circular enterprises that are ready to grow,” he said.
He also encouraged manufacturers to design products with reuse and recyclability in mind. In addition, he urged researchers to move innovations from the laboratory stage to the production line.
The Governor called on development partners to continue supporting frameworks that connect sustainability with economic opportunities.
During a panel session at the event, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, said the state enacted a ban on the production, distribution and sale of single-use plastics in 2022.
Wahab, who was represented by the Director of Climate Change and Environmental Planning, Mr. Michael Bankole, explained that the ban covers items such as plastic bags, straws and cutlery. He said the policy is aimed at reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainable alternatives.
Earlier in his remarks, the Netherlands Ambassador, Ambassador Bengt Van Looschrecht, said the Nigeria Circular Economy Programme was commissioned by the African Development Bank and supported by the Government to integrate circular principles into national policy.
He explained that the programme targets high-impact sectors including agriculture, energy, waste management and industrial processes. According to him, the Netherlands worked closely to develop the Nigeria Circular Economy Programme, which was launched by the Ministry of Environment in 2024.
Van Looschrecht added that Lagos has been identified as an initial pilot model for circularity under the programme. He stated that the Netherlands will remain a partner of Nigeria in scaling holistic and sustainable solutions to address what he described as the triple climate crisis, which includes climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
