Sahara Group Foundation has commissioned its 18th and 19th Sahara Go Recycling Hubs in Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, expanding the social‑impact arm’s network of community‑based waste‑management facilities. The two hubs, opened on the same day, are part of the Sahara Go Recycling Initiative, which seeks to divert recyclable material from landfills, improve resource recovery and generate income for household heads through structured waste‑to‑wealth programmes.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by senior officials of Sahara Group and Sahara Group Foundation, representatives of Ojodu LCDA, community leaders, partners, volunteers and local residents. Chidilim Menakaya, Director of Sahara Group Foundation, highlighted the project as a “practical, community‑focused solution that delivers long‑term environmental and socio‑economic impact.” She noted that locating the hubs within the neighbourhood brings recycling services closer to residents, encouraging participation while creating economic opportunities from recycling activities.
Olaide Bello, Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman of Ojodu LCDA, David Olusegun Odunmbaku, praised the initiative for its timing and impact. He said the hubs align with the council’s sustainability and development priorities by converting waste into valuable resources, reducing environmental pressure, supporting climate‑action goals and providing livelihood options for locals.
The Sahara Go Recycling Initiative, launched by the foundation in 2020, currently operates 17 hubs across Nigeria. The model combines collection points, sorting facilities and training programmes that equip residents—particularly women and youth—with skills to manage waste streams and earn income from recyclables. By expanding the network to Ojodu, the foundation aims to increase recycling rates in Lagos, a city that generates an estimated 13,000 tonnes of solid waste daily.
Sahara Group, a diversified energy and infrastructure conglomerate, channels the foundation’s activities through its corporate‑social‑responsibility framework. The latest hubs are expected to handle up to 5 tonnes of recyclable material per day, feeding material into larger recycling facilities in the region and supporting the circular‑economy agenda promoted by the Nigerian government.
Menakaya reiterated the foundation’s broader vision of building cleaner, more resilient communities through collaboration, innovation and community participation. She affirmed that the ongoing expansion of recycling hubs will continue to strengthen local ownership of sustainable practices and contribute to inclusive economic growth.
The two new hubs in Ojodu are now operational, with plans to monitor collection volumes, community engagement and income generation over the coming months. Their performance will inform the rollout of additional facilities in other high‑density urban areas, as Sahara Group Foundation seeks to scale its waste‑management model across Nigeria and beyond.
