The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has begun moves to remove shanties and other structures it describes as illegal within the Olusosun Dumpsite as part of efforts to protect the facility and maintain waste management operations.
The exercise began on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, with removal notices issued to owners and occupants of structures identified within the dumpsite, according to LAWMA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Muyiwa Gbadegesin.
Why LAWMA Is Removing the Structures
According to LAWMA, the structures and encroachment within the dumpsite could interfere with the facility’s accessibility and operations.
Gbadegesin said affected owners and occupants had been directed to remove their structures and leave the area within a specified period, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
The authority said protecting the integrity of the dumpsite is important because the facility remains part of Lagos State’s waste management infrastructure.
LAWMA also warned that unauthorised activities could make waste disposal operations more difficult and affect the orderly use of the facility.
Olusosun Is an Important Waste Facility for Lagos
Olusosun is one of Lagos’ major waste disposal facilities.
LAWMA’s responsibilities include the collection, transportation and disposal of municipal and industrial waste in Lagos State. The authority has also previously carried out rehabilitation work at Olusosun to improve access for waste-disposal trucks and operational efficiency.
The condition and accessibility of major disposal facilities can therefore affect the wider waste collection system.
LAWMA has previously said that development around Olusosun has increased pressure on the facility, while the authority has explored measures including recycling, composting and biogas production to reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills.
Residents and Occupants Given Time to Vacate
The latest action does not mean that all structures at the dumpsite have already been removed.
Instead, LAWMA has issued notices requiring affected owners and occupants to remove the structures and vacate within the period specified in the notices.
The authority has asked those affected to comply with the directive and cooperate with the exercise.
The notices form the first reported step in the current removal exercise.
LAWMA Links Encroachment to Waste Management
The agency said unauthorised structures and activities within the dumpsite could undermine safe and efficient waste management.
Gbadegesin said maintaining the accessibility and functionality of waste infrastructure was necessary for the broader sanitation system in Lagos.
The authority’s position is that the dumpsite should remain available for its designated waste management functions rather than becoming increasingly occupied by structures or activities unrelated to waste disposal.
Wider Enforcement Across Lagos
The Olusosun operation comes as LAWMA is also intensifying enforcement against illegal waste disposal in other parts of Lagos.
On September 17, the authority said it had sealed premises along Ago Palace Way over persistent illegal dumping and arrested 11 people for unauthorised waste disposal in parts of Lagos Island.
LAWMA said the Ago Palace Way operation involved plazas, hotels, lounges and warehouses where waste was allegedly being dumped on road setbacks, medians and other unauthorised locations.
The authority said the separate enforcement activities form part of a broader effort to improve compliance with waste management regulations across the state.
Waste Management and Environmental Pressure
Lagos faces continuing pressure from the volume of waste generated across its densely populated urban areas.
For waste management authorities, keeping disposal facilities accessible is therefore not simply an issue of land use. It also affects the movement of waste trucks and the ability to maintain regular collection and disposal operations.
LAWMA has previously said that rehabilitation of Olusosun was intended to help waste trucks move through the facility more efficiently, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
The authority has also discussed longer-term plans to reduce dependence on the landfill through recycling and other waste-processing initiatives.
What Happens Next?
The immediate next step is for the owners and occupants who received notices to remove the identified structures and leave the affected areas within the stipulated period.
The available reports do not state that a complete demolition of all affected structures has already taken place.
They also do not provide a final date for the completion of the removal exercise.
LAWMA’s latest position is that the action is intended to preserve Olusosun as a functional waste management facility and prevent further encroachment.
The authority said it would continue to promote an organised waste management system while enforcing regulations against activities that interfere with approved waste disposal operations.
For Lagos residents, the practical significance of the exercise will depend on how effectively the authority can protect the facility while maintaining reliable waste disposal services across the state.
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