With Nigeria producing mountains of waste every single day, experts say the real question isn’t “where does it go?” but “why aren’t we managing it smarter, faster, and digitally?”
Nigeria is drowning in trash—about 87,671 tonnes of it daily—and experts now say the way out is not just more bins, but smarter tech and smarter habits.
At the SHEnovation Hackathon 2026 webinar by the Lagos chapter of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), engineers, policymakers, and sustainability advocates pushed for a digital revolution in waste management.
Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) boss, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, revealed that while Lagos alone generates over 13,000 tonnes daily, much of Africa still struggles to collect even a third of its waste. He warned that old-school collection systems are simply no longer coping.
The solution? Going digital.
LAWMA is already testing smart bins with RFID tags and geotagging, allowing real-time tracking of waste levels, smarter collection routes, and tighter control of operations.
In his words, it’s about making sure “every pickup is seen, tracked, and paid for—no waste, no leaks.”
But experts also stressed: tech alone won’t save the day.
Eco-preneur Jumoke Olowookere reminded everyone that waste starts at home, noting each person produces about half a kilo daily. Her message was blunt but practical—segregate waste, compost organics, recycle more, and embrace the “5Rs”: reduce, reuse, recycle, refuse, repair.
She even added a food-for-thought twist: grow your own food where possible and reduce chemical exposure from markets.
Meanwhile, APWEN Lagos Chair, Mrs. Bosede Oyekunle, said the goal is to connect innovation with action—turning young engineers and students into problem-solvers for real-world environmental challenges.
Experts agree Nigeria’s waste problem won’t disappear on its own—but with digital tools, creative thinking, and everyday responsibility, it might just be turned into opportunity.
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