Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reportedly appointed Dr Hassan Sanuth as the new Managing Director of LAWMA.
The reported move comes amid growing complaints about heaps of refuse across the state.
The development follows reports that the incumbent, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, was asked to resign over persistent waste management problems.
However, state authorities had yet to officially confirm the reported appointment as of press time.
Sources said the governor was unhappy with the slow removal of waste from roads, residential areas and drainage channels.
One source told Vanguard, “The directives aim at addressing the waste challenges in the state.”
Sanuth previously served as Director of Sanitation Services in the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.
He holds a PhD in Environmental Microbiology and a master’s degree in Microbiology from the University of Ibadan.
The reported change comes after Sanwo-Olu declared a state of emergency on waste management.
During a visit to the Olusosun Dumpsite in Ojota, the governor described the situation as “embarrassing”.
He ordered an overhaul of LAWMA’s operations and called for urgent action to improve waste collection.
He also blamed some Private Sector Participation operators for failing to meet their obligations.
The government said work at the Olusosun and Solous 3 dumpsites would improve disposal capacity.
However, residents have continued to complain about refuse in areas including Mushin, Surulere, Ikorodu, Apapa and Mile 2.
Despite the reported leadership change, Gbadegesin shared updates on waste collection through his X account on Saturday.
He said several locations had been cleared and collection services improved on selected routes.
“11 of the 15 routes in this week’s programme now have field updates,” he wrote.
He also explained the goal of the ongoing work, saying, “The objective is to progress from clearance to sustained collection and prevention of recurrence, not simply remove visible waste.”
Gbadegesin was reappointed to lead LAWMA after Sanwo-Olu’s re-election.
The Lagos waste management crisis continues to draw public concern as residents await official clarification on the reported appointment.
