Lagos to Turn 13,000 Tonnes of Daily Waste into Commercial Biogas

LAGOS — In a major move to bolster energy security and environmental sustainability, the Lagos State Government has inaugurated a technical committee to spearhead the commercial production of biogas and biomethane. The initiative aims to transform the state’s massive daily waste output into a viable, low-cost alternative to imported diesel and petrol.

​The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, announced the committee’s formation during a ministerial press briefing on Monday. He emphasized that the move is designed to decouple the state’s transport sector from the volatility of global oil prices while addressing the city’s waste management challenges.

​Harnessing the “Organic Wealth”

​Lagos currently generates approximately 13,000 metric tonnes of waste every day. Feasibility studies conducted by the state reveal that 45% of this waste is organic—a goldmine for the production of biomethane.

​”This organic waste can be converted into biomethane fuel locally at significantly lower production costs than conventional fuels,” Osiyemi stated. The new technical committee, featuring experts from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), is tasked with streamlining the transition from pilot studies to full-scale commercial energy plants.

​The Green Transport Revolution

​The biogas project is a critical pillar of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda, which prioritizes eco-friendly infrastructure. The Commissioner highlighted several key milestones already achieved in the state’s clean energy transition:

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• ​CNG Integration: Since 2022, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses have transported over 600,000 passengers, slashing operational fuel costs by nearly 50%.
• ​Fleet Conversion: 152 “First and Last Mile” buses have already been retrofitted from petrol to CNG engines.
• ​Electric Mobility: Two pilot electric BRT buses recently completed a 90-day trial, moving 150,000 passengers and preventing roughly 200,000kg of carbon emissions.
• ​Haulage Reform: In partnership with UBA, the state has introduced 2,000 CNG-powered trucks to replace aging, unsafe diesel tankers and trailers.

​Private Sector Confidence

​The shift toward sustainable energy is also gaining traction in the private sector. Osiyemi noted a marked increase in electric and CNG vehicles within the e-hailing industry, signaling growing investor confidence in the state’s green reforms.

​Furthermore, progress continues on the state’s seven-line electric rail network, which is expected to revolutionize mass urban mobility by providing a high-capacity, zero-emission alternative to road travel.

​By turning its waste into fuel, Lagos is positioning itself as a leader in African urban innovation, demonstrating that environmental challenges can be converted into economic opportunities.