The announcement was made by Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, via his official X account on Monday. The project was delivered in partnership with C40 Cities and supported by UK International Development under the Climate Action Implementation programme.
Wahab noted that the Ikosi Fruit Market generates tons of organic waste daily, including fruit peels, vegetable trimmings, and unsold produce, much of which previously ended up in drains, road medians, and dumpsites. These waste materials have historically contributed to clogged drainage systems, sanitation issues, and methane emissions—one of the most potent greenhouse gases.
“This is the circular economy in action,” Wahab stated, adding that the biodigester will help reduce environmental hazards while providing clean energy and fertilizer.
The project aligns with Lagos’ broader climate strategy to build a resilient, resource-efficient city through community-level interventions. It is also part of the state’s wider waste-to-energy initiative that includes partnerships with international firms and large-scale projects aimed at scaling up energy recovery from municipal waste.
Lagos’ Wider Waste-to-Energy Push
Lagos has been partnering with foreign firms to address specialized waste streams and scale up energy recovery across the state:
- Closing the Loop (Netherlands) has been tasked with managing electronic waste and establishing a local facility to reduce exportation and repurpose materials.
- Harvest Waste Consortium (Netherlands) is working on converting 2,500–3,000 tons of municipal solid waste into electricity daily, supported by a €120 million commitment from the Netherlands.
- Jospong Group (Accra-based) is involved in broader waste management initiatives in the state.
In July 2025, the Lagos State Government also announced plans for a $400 million waste-to-energy plant in Epe, expected to supply electricity to two million residents, reduce flooding, and generate a projected 12% internal rate of return (IRR) over 20 years.
Why the Ikosi Biodigester Matters
Markets like Ikosi generate large volumes of organic waste daily, much of which bypasses formal collection systems. This contributes to blocked drainage channels, sanitation risks, and environmental pressure. Current waste statistics in Lagos show:
- About 80% of landfill capacity is nearly exhausted
- Only 63% of households have formal waste collection coverage
- An estimated 67% of households resort to illegal dumping
- Market waste is a major contributor to organic waste volumes
The Ikosi biodigester represents a practical step in reducing organic waste at the source while supporting Lagos’ broader waste-to-energy ambitions and strengthening the city’s climate resilience.