The LAWMA MD resignation controversy has emerged amid Lagos State’s worsening waste management crisis, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu reportedly asking the agency’s chief executive, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, to step down.
According to a report by PUNCH, an unnamed source within the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) said the governor was unhappy with the slow removal of refuse across the state.
The source claimed Sanwo-Olu asked Gbadegesin to resign over the weekend after expressing frustration that conditions had failed to improve despite earlier directives.
However, the Lagos State Government has yet to publicly confirm the reported resignation request.
Why Sanwo-Olu Reportedly Wants LAWMA MD to Resign
The report said the governor’s dissatisfaction followed his visit to the Olusosun dumpsite in Ojota about a month ago.
During the visit, Sanwo-Olu reportedly ordered urgent action to tackle the waste crisis. He had also declared a state of emergency on waste management.
The source told PUNCH that the governor was upset when he saw little improvement after issuing the directive. The source further claimed that Gbadegesin had approached prominent Lagos residents to appeal on his behalf.
The reported LAWMA MD resignation request comes as residents continue to complain about refuse piling up on roads, street corners and drainage channels.
Refuse Crisis Hits Communities Across Lagos
Several communities have experienced waste collection problems, including Mushin, Egbeda, Surulere, Ajegunle, Ikorodu, Ojo, Obalende, Apapa and Mile 2.
The situation has raised concerns about environmental sanitation, public health and the effect of accumulated refuse on businesses and residents.
In September, Sanwo-Olu declared a state of emergency on waste collection after inspecting the Olusosun dumpsite. He met with his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, and other stakeholders to discuss immediate and long-term solutions.
The governor blamed part of the problem on Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators who allegedly failed to meet their obligations. He also said fires at dumpsites had disrupted operations.
Sanwo-Olu explained that ongoing work at the Olusosun and Solous 3 dumpsites would help improve waste disposal capacity. The planned improvements were expected to allow each site to receive about 450 trucks of municipal waste daily.
LAWMA Reports Progress on Waste Clearance
Despite the criticism, Gbadegesin said the agency was making efforts to improve collection in affected areas.
In a Saturday update on X, the LAWMA chief reported that Mile 2 had been cleared and routine collection was continuing. He also announced that three additional trucks had been deployed to Doyin-Orile and surrounding areas.
He listed other locations where collection had continued or clearance work was underway, including Ijesha Road, Itire–Ikate, Bucknor–Ijegun and Obalende.
Gbadegesin added that four routes were still awaiting field updates: Apapa, Abesan Estate, Idimu–Ejigbo Road and the Isheri–Igando corridor.
He said the agency’s goal was to move beyond clearing visible refuse and maintain regular collection to prevent waste from accumulating again.
Government Yet to Confirm Resignation Request
PUNCH reported that it attempted to contact Lagos State Commissioner for Information Gbenga Omotoso for a reaction. An aide said the commissioner was in a meeting and asked the correspondent to call back later.
Gbadegesin was reappointed to lead LAWMA after Sanwo-Olu secured a second term as governor.
For now, the reported LAWMA MD resignation request remains unconfirmed by an official statement from the state government. It is also unclear whether Gbadegesin will leave his position or remain in office.