Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday unveiled a circular economy strategy designed to transform electronic waste (e-waste) into economic value, with a strong emphasis on job creation, environmental protection, and industrial sustainability.
The governor announced the initiative at the 4th Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) Capacity Building Workshop, which was themed “Transforming E-Waste into Opportunity: Circular Economy Solutions for Ogun State.” Represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, Abiodun stated that the state could no longer tolerate the informal handling of hazardous waste, stressing that industrial growth must be accompanied by environmental responsibility.
“Ogun is not merely Nigeria’s gateway; it is its industrial engine. What we have been discarding is, in truth, a goldmine, and we are determined to harness it responsibly,” he said.
The governor cited estimates indicating that Nigeria generates over 500,000 tonnes of e-waste annually, warning that improper disposal releases toxic substances such as lead and mercury, which pose serious health risks. A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding was signed among OGEPA, E-Terra Technologies Ltd., and the E-Waste Relief Foundation. Abiodun described the agreement as a structured framework for responsible e-waste management, aimed at integrating informal collectors into the formal system, boosting revenue, and creating employment.
He said the initiative would transform waste management practices, generate jobs for youths, and safeguard the environment. The governor emphasized ongoing environmental initiatives, including plastic recycling, waste-to-fuel projects, and an electric mobility programme. According to him, the state currently recycles about 2,000 metric tonnes of plastic daily, while investments in electric vehicles and solar energy are positioning Ogun as a clean energy hub.
“Our environmental sustainability drive is central to our economic development agenda,” he said. Abiodun stressed the need to protect workers in the e-waste value chain, particularly those handling hazardous materials, assuring that the government would provide protective equipment and training. The governor charged participants to produce a concrete e-waste roadmap, establish a multi-sector task force, and secure binding commitments from industry players.
“We are not just discussing e-waste; we are launching a resource revolution,” he said.
In his remarks, the Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. Innocent Barikor, commended Ogun’s initiative, describing it as forward-looking. “E-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream globally, but it also presents opportunities for innovation and job creation,” he said. Barikor added that NESREA had established collection centres, trained informal waste collectors, and strengthened regulations under its Extended Producer Responsibility programme.
The General Manager of OGEPA, Mr. Kehinde Bello, urged stakeholders to actively engage and contribute ideas toward achieving sustainable outcomes. Earlier, Prof. Olusegun Oguntoke called for urgent action on e-waste, warning of environmental and health risks already evident in parts of Nigeria. Oguntoke said studies in Lagos and Ogun found heavy metals like lead and copper in soil and water, posing long-term contamination and bioaccumulation risks.
