Sanwo-Olu Appoints New LAWMA Managing Director

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reportedly appointed Dr Hassan Sanuth as the new Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) amid growing concerns over waste management in the state.

The appointment follows reports that the governor had asked the incumbent managing director, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, to resign over the continued accumulation of refuse in different parts of Lagos.

However, the Lagos State Government and other relevant authorities had yet to officially confirm the development as of the time of filing this report.

Sources familiar with the situation disclosed that Sanwo-Olu was unhappy with the persistent waste management problems across the state despite previous directives to improve refuse collection and disposal.

According to one of the sources, who spoke anonymously, the governor asked Gbadegesin to step down over the weekend. The outgoing managing director was, however, said to be requesting additional time to address the challenges facing the agency.

The reported decision comes amid concerns over the growing heaps of refuse on major roads, residential streets and drainage channels across Lagos.

The waste management situation has continued to attract attention, with residents expressing concerns about the condition of their surroundings and the possible effects of improper waste disposal on public health and the environment.

Sanuth, who is expected to take over the leadership of LAWMA, previously served as the Director of Sanitation Services in the Office of Environmental Services under the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

His reported appointment comes as the state government faces renewed pressure to improve waste collection, transportation and disposal across the metropolis.

Despite several interventions by the state government, waste management remains a challenge in some parts of Lagos, raising questions about the effectiveness of existing measures and the need for stronger enforcement of sanitation regulations.

If confirmed, Sanuth’s appointment would place him at the centre of efforts to improve the state’s waste management system and address the persistent complaints about refuse disposal.

The development also comes as the Sanwo-Olu administration continues to face expectations from residents to ensure cleaner streets, functional drainage channels and better environmental sanitation across the state.