Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital, is grappling with a mounting waste challenge, prompting private-sector intervention. HBM Nigeria Plc, a leading building solutions company, has taken its campaign for proper waste handling directly to traders at the Oyingbo Ultra-Modern Market. The initiative aims to educate traders on waste generation, sorting, and disposal, and provide them with the necessary tools to manage waste effectively. This move is crucial, as Lagos continues to contend with environmental and public-health pressures associated with its expanding population and commercial activities.
The Oyingbo Ultra-Modern Market was deliberately selected for this initiative due to its strategic commercial importance and the large number of people who pass through it daily. According to Temitope Dosumu, Director of HBM Eco, the market was an ideal location for the campaign, which seeks to change how waste is handled from the point it is generated. The initiative, organised in partnership with FABE International Foundation, included practical demonstrations on waste segregation, distribution of branded merchandise, and provision of parasols to support the engagement.
The campaign, which marked the 2026 World Cleanup Day, focused on educating traders on the importance of proper waste management. Dosumu highlighted food waste as a significant concern, stressing that greater awareness among traders could help change attitudes towards waste and encourage better separation and handling of discarded materials. By educating traders at the point of waste generation, HBM Nigeria aims to reduce indiscriminate disposal and improve the quality of the environment in and around the market.
The partnership between HBM Nigeria and FABE International Foundation was driven by a shared commitment to responsible waste management. According to Temitope Okunnu, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FABE International Foundation, market communities should remain a priority in waste-management campaigns due to their significant contribution to the daily waste stream. The initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the environment and public health in Lagos.
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has commended HBM Nigeria and FABE International Foundation for supporting the initiative. Lanre Shasore, Head of Street Sanitation Services at LAWMA, said the campaign created an opportunity to engage traders directly and reinforce the need for proper waste management practices at the market level. The Iyaloja of Oyingbo Market, Olateju Ramot, also expressed appreciation to HBM Nigeria and its partners, saying the intervention would encourage traders and other market users to take greater responsibility for the cleanliness of their environment.
The Oyingbo campaign places emphasis on waste segregation, sorting, and disposal, and provides traders with the necessary tools to manage waste effectively. The initiative includes the distribution of bins and waste management kits to traders, which is expected to improve waste management practices in the market. By working together, HBM Nigeria, FABE International Foundation, and LAWMA aim to create a cleaner and healthier environment for traders and residents of Lagos.
The partnership between HBM Nigeria and FABE International Foundation demonstrates the importance of collaboration in addressing the waste challenge in Lagos. The initiative is a step towards creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly waste management system in the city. Key to this effort is changing attitudes towards waste and encouraging traders to take responsibility for their waste.
Key points
- HBM Nigeria partners with Oyingbo traders to promote proper waste handling and management in Lagos.
- The initiative aims to educate traders on waste generation, sorting, and disposal, and provide them with the necessary tools to manage waste effectively.
- The partnership demonstrates the importance of collaboration in addressing the waste challenge in Lagos.
