The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has announced that the agency currently serves as a major engine for job creation in Lagos State.

He stated that over 100,000 youths are directly and indirectly employed across the authority’s operational value chain.

Dr. Gbadegesin made this disclosure during a meeting at the agency’s headquarters in Ijora-Olopa, where he hosted the leadership of the EKO 57 Support Group, including Adams Kehinde and Remilekun Oshodi.

The discussion focused on how the agency plans to leverage youth engagement to improve environmental standards across the state.

A key outcome of this meeting is a new strategic partnership between LAWMA and the EKO 57 Support Group. This collaboration aims to mobilize young people across all 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas of Lagos State to promote cleanliness and responsible waste management at the grassroots level.

The LAWMA CEO emphasized that the energy and creativity of the youth are vital to improving the agency’s service delivery. He noted that involving young people in these efforts is a strategic move to deepen environmental awareness and influence positive behavioral changes within local communities.

Beyond this new partnership, the agency has been actively strengthening its ties with community leaders, Community Development Associations (CDAs), and Community Development Committees (CDCs). These existing relationships are designed to help the authority address service concerns and ensure that residents comply with established waste management guidelines.

Leadership from the EKO 57 Support Group commended LAWMA for its initiative and commitment to involving the youth. They highlighted that achieving a sustainable and cleaner Lagos requires collective responsibility and active participation from the younger generation, which this partnership seeks to foster.