By Niran Odufayo
The Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) has bestowed a prestigious environmental honour on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in recognition of his enduring impact on waste management and environmental sustainability in Nigeria.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos to commemorate the 2025 World Environment Day, AWAMN National President, Dr. Olugbenga Adebola, announced the conferment of the title “Generalissimo of the Environment” on President Tinubu. The association cited the president’s pioneering role in establishing an inclusive and effective waste management system in Lagos State—an achievement that has since shaped environmental governance nationwide.
“This is not about politics,” Dr. Adebola said. “It is about performance, foresight, and a legacy of measurable impact. President Tinubu’s reforms in the environmental sector remain a reference point for sustainable urban development.”
As governor of Lagos from 1999 to 2007, Tinubu introduced the Private Sector Participation (PSP) waste collection model—a groundbreaking initiative at the time. The model implemented a house-to-house waste collection system that drastically improved public sanitation in Lagos, then known for its waste crisis. The approach was both pro-poor and scalable, creating thousands of jobs while enhancing public health and urban aesthetics.
Under his leadership, Lagos was twice awarded national honours by the Federal Government for excellence in urban transformation and environmental innovation. Today, the PSP model remains the foundation of the state’s waste management system and has been adopted in at least 30 other Nigerian states. It is also studied by countries across Africa seeking sustainable sanitation solutions.
AWAMN also acknowledged Tinubu’s significant contributions to coastal protection, particularly through the “Taming the Sea” initiative, which safeguarded parts of Victoria Island from ocean surge and made way for the development of the Lekki Free Trade Zone. Now home to Africa’s largest refinery and a critical economic corridor, the Lekki axis exemplifies how environmental and economic policies can be integrated for long-term growth.
The event coincided with global celebrations of World Environment Day 2025, themed “End Plastic Pollution.” The association emphasized the need for continued innovation in tackling plastic waste and called for deeper collaboration between government and the private sector to advance the country’s sustainability agenda.
Highlighting progress made at the national level, Dr. Adebola said President Tinubu’s current administration has continued to demonstrate strong environmental leadership through landmark policies and initiatives. These include the Clean Tech Innovation Policy, Circular Economy Strategy, Sustainable Energy Access Project, Climate Change Act, and Clean Cooking Gas Initiative.
He further listed the Green the Sahel Initiative, Oil and Gas Sector Environmental Reforms, Sustainability Reporting Framework, International Climate Cooperation Agreements, and the End Open Defecation Campaign as part of the administration’s broader environmental agenda.
“In just two years, we’ve seen Nigeria position itself as a serious player in the global climate conversation,” Dr. Adebola noted. “From the Carbon Market Activation Policy and Energy Transition Plan to the Global Climate Change Investment Fund and Sovereign Green Bond, these are tangible actions—not rhetoric.”
AWAMN concluded by reaffirming its commitment to support environmental policies that prioritize innovation, inclusiveness, and long-term impact. The association urged governments at all levels to draw lessons from Lagos’s success and align waste management efforts with national development goals.