The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, to tender his resignation over the growing accumulation of refuse across major roads, residential neighborhoods, and drainage channels in the state.
​The executive directive followed a period of dissatisfaction regarding environmental sanitation in the state capital and surrounding local government areas.
​According to sources, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s decision came after an unscheduled visit to the Olusosun Dumpsite in Ojota a month prior. During the inspection, the governor expressed strong displeasure with the operational lapses at the dumpsite and immediately declared a state of emergency on waste management across the metropolis, giving specific instructions to the LAWMA management to clear accumulated refuse and streamline waste collection.
​However, during a follow-up assessment over the weekend, the governor observed that refuse heaps persisted across key corridors, including Mile 2, Doyin-Orile, Ijesha Road, Itire-Ikate, and Bucknor-Ijegun, prompting him to request Dr. Gbadegesin’s resignation.
​A government source familiar with the development disclosed; “The governor was upset when he observed that the situation had not improved despite his clear directive. So, over the weekend, he asked him to resign, although he is reaching out to some prominent Lagosians to intervene on his behalf.”
​Prior to the directive, Dr. Gbadegesin had issued a weekly operational update on Saturday, October 17, 2026, via his official account on X (formerly Twitter). In the post, he highlighted ongoing interventions across several trouble spots.
​Despite these updates, reports from residents and commuters indicated persistent refuse buildup and blocked drainage channels in multiple commercial hubs.
​Efforts to obtain an official statement on Monday afternoon, October 19, 2026, from the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, were unsuccessful. An aide to the commissioner stated that he was attending an executive council meeting at the State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.
​Dr. Gbadegesin was reappointed by Governor Sanwo-Olu to head LAWMA following the governor’s re-election. Neither the Lagos State Government nor LAWMA has released an official press statement regarding a replacement as of Monday evening.
