Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) award is well deserved.

Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) award is well deserved.

The award given to HE Asiwaju Dr Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke on S'odoti d'owo - Waste to Wealth is a well-deserved one

Funmiso Babarinde 

Osogbo - 28/ 02/2025

In appreciation of  the curiosity and the demand for data because facts matter. Governor Adeleke's Excellence Award in Waste Management, Circular Economy, and Environmental Sustainability is not just ceremonial; it is rooted in tangible, data-driven initiatives that are actively transforming Osun's waste landscape.

With regard to Waste-to-Wealth Initiative & PET Exchange Model, Osun State has pioneered a Waste-to-Wealth Initiative, where residents exchange PET bottles for cash and goods at designated collection hubs (beyond the one we piloted recently - mostly by the private sector but powered by OWMA) This program, which started as a pilot in Osogbo, Ilesa, and Ife, is being expanded to other communities. The goal is to formalize the waste collection process, reduce landfill pressure, and promote recycling as a viable economic activity.

Key Data & Impact Metrics

1. Waste Generation in Osun

• Osun generates an estimated 2,000–2,500 metric tons of waste daily (we collated and sent this to AWMN when they reached out) this is lower than Lagos (13,000 metric tons/day), it is significant for a small state like ours with a smaller industrial footprint.

• Of this, approximately 30-35% is organic waste, while plastic waste (PET, nylon, and other recyclables) accounts for about 15-20%. 

2. Waste Converted to Wealth

• Since the launch of the PET-for-Cash initiative, we have recovered over 300,000 PET bottles in the pilot phase alone.

• Our partnership with recyclers has facilitated the collection and repurposing of over 80 metric tons of plastic waste into reusable materials, reducing environmental pollution and creating jobs in the process. 

(OWMA has this data).

• Expansion plans aim to increase recovery rates by 50% in the next year, with additional incentives for participation.

3. Carbon Footprint Reduction

• Through our efforts in diverting plastic waste from landfills and waterways, Osun has prevented the release of approximately 120 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent that would have resulted from open burning or improper disposal of waste. (This explains why we don’t want to expand the dump sites)

• Our ongoing tree-planting and composting programs are designed to further offset emissions and promote carbon sequestration.

On the issue of waste conversion centres, unlike Lagos, which has a more developed waste management industry, Osun is actively building its conversion ecosystem:

• Recycling Collection Hubs are being established (you can attest to this fact) with three currently operational and more in development.

• Plans are underway for a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) to process organic and inorganic waste at scale.

• The Osun Circular Economy Action Plan, a first of its kind for the state since inception, is being finalized to attract investors into sustainable waste management and recycling.

To summarize, HE’s recognition is based on:

 (1) The introduction of a structured waste-to-wealth model that empowers communities economically while tackling plastic pollution;

 (2) The integration of circular economy principles into Osun’s environmental policies, aligning with global sustainability targets;

 (3) Practical, on-ground initiatives like the PET-for-Cash program, which are scalable, measurable, and impactful.

Listen, we are taking baby steps, but we will get there as we are getting visibility and more people are coming to the state. There are interest from Netherlands to come into Osun.

Lagos has indeed attracted significant investment into waste management—but Osun is laying the groundwork for a sustainable and inclusive waste economy. The goal isn’t just to manage waste but to turn it into an economic value—one PET bottle at a time.

Funmiso Babarinde, 

SSA Renewable Energy,

Office of the Lead Consultant to Osun State Government on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Circular Economy.