FABE International Foundation has engaged the Lagos State Government to ramp up biogas production as part of its ongoing environmental sustainability and waste management efforts. This initiative is centered around turning waste into a resource, particularly focusing on market waste that can be converted into biogas and compost.
At a recent event under the foundation’s ‘Project Clean Air’ programme, held at the Ketu Fruit Market in collaboration with Prudential Zenith Life Insurance, FABE International Foundation advocated for the conversion of market waste into valuable resources while aiming to reduce illegal dumpsites in the area.
The foundation’s Founder and CEO, Temitope Okunnu, spearheaded the cleanup initiative and underscored the project’s twofold objective: waste reduction and the generation of energy.
“We’re here today not only to clean up the Ketu fruit market but also to raise awareness among market vendors,” Okunnu explained. “Waste, when properly managed, can be transformed into biogas and compost. We want to show them that segregating waste can lead to the production of electricity and cooking gas, which is particularly beneficial for vendors selling bean cake, yam, and plantain along this corridor.”
Okunnu also highlighted the underutilization of the biogas digester already installed at the market. “The digester could serve as a sustainable alternative to traditional cooking gas if it is effectively harnessed,” he added.
The foundation also has plans to transform illegal mini-dumpsites into eco-friendly spaces, turning organic waste from the market into compost that can be used to nurture these areas into eco-gardens.
In alignment with the foundation’s goals, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) expressed its support and outlined its plans to expand the biogas initiative. Abimbola Ajayi, Assistant Director of the Waste-to-Energy unit at LAWMA, shared the authority’s commitment to scaling up the project.
“By December this year, we plan to hold a grand opening ceremony for the biogas facility here in Ketu,” Ajayi announced. “Once operational, the biogas will help power the loading bay and is expected to generate 29 megawatts of electricity.”
Ajayi emphasized the importance of public education, stressing the need for shop-to-shop campaigns to encourage market vendors to segregate their waste at the source. “This is crucial for producing clean and pure methane, which can be easily used for biogas. Once we scale this up, we’ll be ready for wider implementation,” he said.
Additionally, Ajayi revealed plans to set up a central kitchen powered by biogas, aimed at serving vendors who currently depend on traditional cooking fuels.
Prudential Zenith Life Insurance, which co-funded the project, played a key role in supporting this sustainability effort. Cherise Ige, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at Prudential Zenith Life Insurance, described the partnership as a significant step in advancing Nigeria’s sustainability objectives.
With this collaboration, both FABE International Foundation and the Lagos State Government aim to make waste management more sustainable while also contributing to the local economy and the broader environmental goals of the country.
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