Abuja, February 18th, 2025. 

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been honoured with the prestigious Nigeria Environmental Health Excellence Awards (NEHEA) 2025 Circular Economy Emerald Award. According to the organizers, this award is in recognition of the governor’s outstanding commitment to environmental sustainability and visionary leadership in Circular Economy innovation in Lagos state. The award was presented at the Nigeria Environmental Health Excellence Awards (NEHEA) ceremony held at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja. 

NEHEA, renowned for recognizing exceptional achievements in environmental health and sustainability across Nigeria, celebrates government agencies, organizations, and individuals who have made remarkable contributions to environmental conservation, waste management, and the promotion of sustainable practices. 

Receiving the award on behalf of the Governor, Mrs Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, expressed gratitude to NEHEA for the honour. She noted that the recognition once again, highlights the governor’s unwavering commitment to sustainable urban development and is a validation of his approach to address the threats of climate change through a socio-economic impact vehicle like Circular Economy.

“The award is another testament to Mr Governor’s creative approach to climate change. It is a leadership that is bold, courageous and innovative. Our state faces serious climate change challenges. But rather than approach it with fear, the governor sees the immense opportunities in Circular Economy.”

“With Circular Economy, we can tackle climate change sustainably because it opens us the state to the full extent of the EESG possibilities. Circular Economy addresses environmental challenges by taking away waste from the environment, but more importantly, it converts the waste to social and economic opportunities by creating jobs and distributing wealth to people”.

“With our various programmes at the OCCE, we have tested these models, and they are working. With the support of the governor and other state and private sector partners, we have abated over 13,000 tonnes of waste and, in the process, created over 100 jobs and given over 1 million Naria in social incentives. That is the power of this vehicle that the governor has created,” she said.

The SA to the governor furthered that Lagos State has been at the forefront of environmental sustainability, championing programs that reduce waste pollution, create economic opportunities, and empower communities. Through strategic initiatives such as Eco-Circulate, Let Lagos Breathe, and Charity Begins at Home, Lagos State has: 

– Promoted Waste-to-Wealth Models: Transforming waste into economic value, fostering green entrepreneurship and community empowerment. 

– Reduced Environmental Pollution: Implementing structured waste valorization and recycling systems to maintain a cleaner and healthier environment. 

– Created Economic Opportunities: Generating jobs and driving economic growth along the waste management value chain. 

“So, for us at the OCCE, this award is not just a recognition of Mr Governor’s strategic approach to sustainability; it is a call to do more so we can retain Lagos’s enviable position in Africa’s sustainability scheme of things. We are committed to advancing our sustainability agenda, empowering communities, and fostering an inclusive circular economy that benefits all Lagosians.” 

She also reaffirmed Lagos State’s dedication to achieving its Net Zero vision by 2050 and encouraged continued collaborations to scale sustainable business models and attract green investments. 

The SA seized the opportunity to call on stakeholders, development partners, and investors to invest in Circular Economy Solutions and support innovations that minimize environmental impact while generating economic value. She added that encouraging clean energy use, low-carbon transportation, and eco-friendly production are some of the new focuses of her office.