Lagos launches anaerobic waste digester to cut food waste

To convert waste into energy, the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources has officially launched the Ikosi Market Anaerobic Digester, a biogas plant with the capacity to convert waste into sources of energy.

The project involves constructing a biodigester at the market, diverting organic waste to convert it into biogas, producing energy from waste while mitigating environmental emissions, and improving the livelihoods of market traders.

Speaking at a recent event, Tokunbo Wahab, commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, described the launch of the biogas as a milestone achievement in addressing waste management issues in the state.

“Today is a proud moment for Ikosi, and indeed for Lagos State, as we mark another important milestone on our journey towards a cleaner, greener and more resilient city,” he said.

Wahab disclosed that the facility would contribute greatly to Lagos’ vision of turning waste into wealth and challenges into opportunities.

“The Ikosi Fruit Market Biogas Plant represents a bold step in reimagining waste, not as a burden, but as a valuable resource that can drive sustainability, resilience and inclusive growth.”

He noted that through this collaboration, Lagos positions itself as a leader by translating international climate commitments into practical, community-level action.

The facility aims to implement an organic waste management system designed to reduce the volume of food and other organic waste ending up in landfills.

Muyiwa Gbadegesin, managing director of the Lagos State Waste Agency, said the project launch was a testament to the state’s drive to tackle waste.

“Lagos State government takes the issue of the environment very seriously,” he said. “The issue of waste management, and in particular, the issue of circular economy, which you can only achieve by converting our waste to wealth.”

For him, this is the beginning of many more projects. Many local markets in Lagos are known to be major sources of waste, but Gbadegesin said organic waste now stands a chance of being converted into usable materials.

“Organic waste from this market will now be converted into clean, sustainable biogas for cooking and electricity. At the same time, it will produce nutrient-rich organic fertiliser that can be used on our farms,” said Gbadegesin.

Similarly, Gaji Tajudeen, permanent secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, lauded the partners and all the stakeholders who made the launch a reality.

“This achievement represents a major step forward in our collective pursuit of environmental sustainability, renewable energy and the conversion of waste into wealth,” he noted.

According to him, it is a powerful testament to the state’s commitment to innovation, sustainable development, and it reflects the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing the environmental challenges facing our state.

“The Ikosi Fruit Market Biogas Plant provides an ingenious solution, transforming what we once considered ‘waste’ into valuable resources.

Power generated by the system will also provide lighting in key areas of the market and refrigeration to support traders in reducing spoilage of their produce.

Temitope Okunnu, chief executive officer of FABE Foundation and implementer of the project, said the launch “is a reality come true.”

“Imagine food waste from the regular Ikosi Market that you and I come to regularly, now converting their own food waste that was meant to be at the dump site into electricity, gas, cooking gas?” she asked.

Okunnu noted that a replication of the biogas facility has commenced across about 35 markets across Lagos.

Applauding the state government, Anthony Okoth, C40 Cities regional director for Africa, said C40 is a global entity that actually focuses on bringing together 100 megacities across the globe.

Adding that, “it basically controls a population of about 925 million people in terms of cities, and basically takes care of about 20 percent of the global economy.”

According to C40 studies, Lagos generates and disposes approximately 5,600 tons per day of organic waste.

The project is facilitated by the C40 Cities Urban Climate Action Programme – Climate Action Implementation (UCAP CAI), which is financed by the United Kingdom government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).