Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reportedly asked the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, to resign amid growing concerns over the accumulation of refuse across the state.

The reported move follows mounting complaints about waste collection, with heaps of garbage littering roads, residential areas and drainage channels in several communities.

An unnamed source within the agency disclosed that the governor had become dissatisfied with the pace of waste evacuation and the implementation of his directives to address the situation.

According to the source, the governor's frustration reportedly intensified following his visit to the Olusosun Dumpsite in Ojota about a month ago, where he assessed operations and called for urgent measures to improve waste management.

Despite the directive and the subsequent declaration of a state of emergency on waste management, the source claimed that the governor remained concerned about the limited visible progress.

The source further alleged that Sanwo-Olu asked Gbadegesin to resign over the weekend, adding that the LAWMA chief had reportedly been seeking the intervention of influential figures in Lagos to retain his position.

 Refuse Accumulation Raises Sanitation Concerns

Residents in several parts of Lagos have continued to experience waste collection challenges, with refuse reportedly accumulating along major roads, medians, residential streets and drainage channels.

Affected areas include Mushin, Egbeda, Surulere, Ajegunle, Ikorodu, Ojo, Obalende, Apapa and Mile 2.

The situation has raised concerns about environmental sanitation, public health risks and the potential impact on businesses and daily activities.

The state government had earlier announced emergency measures to tackle the problem and improve waste collection across the metropolis.

In September, Sanwo-Olu declared a state of emergency on waste management following an inspection of the Olusosun Dumpsite. The visit was attended by Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat and other stakeholders in the waste management sector.

During the inspection, the governor acknowledged delays in waste evacuation and attributed some of the challenges to the failure of Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators to meet their obligations in recent weeks.

He also identified fires at dumpsites and ongoing waste-compaction projects as factors affecting operational efficiency.

According to the governor, the completion of projects at the Olusosun and Solous 3 dumpsites would increase their capacity, allowing each facility to receive approximately 450 trucks of municipal waste daily.

The planned improvements are expected to strengthen disposal operations and support more efficient waste collection by PSP operators.

 LAWMA Reports Progress in Clearance Operations

Amid growing concerns over the waste situation, Gbadegesin announced on Saturday that clearance operations had recorded progress in several locations across Lagos.

In an update shared on his X account, the LAWMA chief said Mile 2 had been cleared, while three additional trucks had been deployed to Doyin-Orile and surrounding communities.

He also reported continued daily waste collection along Ijesha Road and Itire–Ikate, clearance operations at Bucknor–Ijegun, and ongoing collection activities in Ogolonto and Igbokusu.

According to the update, Okeira and Oluodo had been placed under interim LAWMA services following the termination of their PSP arrangements, while clearance operations continued at Iraye.

However, the agency was still awaiting field updates from four routes: Apapa, Abesan Estate, Idimu–Ejigbo Road and the Isheri–Igando corridor.

Gbadegesin said the agency's objective was to move beyond emergency clearance operations and establish consistent waste collection to prevent refuse from accumulating again in areas that had already been cleared.

 Government Yet to Confirm Reported Resignation Request

As of the time of reporting, there had been no official confirmation of the alleged resignation request.

Efforts to obtain a response from Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho, were unsuccessful, as an aide said the commissioner was attending a meeting and advised that contact be made later.

Gbadegesin was reappointed as LAWMA managing director by Sanwo-Olu following the governor's re-election.

The reported development comes as the state government faces continued pressure to address waste collection challenges and improve environmental sanitation.

Whether the alleged resignation request will result in a leadership change remains unclear, while residents continue to await sustained improvements in refuse evacuation across Lagos.