Sahara Group Foundation has commissioned its 18th and 19th Sahara Go Recycling Hubs in the Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State. The two hubs, opened on the same day, are part of the foundation’s Sahara Go Recycling Initiative, which aims to divert recyclable material from landfills, improve resource recovery and generate income for households through structured waste‑to‑wealth programmes.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by senior officials from Sahara Group and its foundation, representatives of Ojodu LCDA, community leaders, partners, volunteers and local residents. Director of Sahara Group Foundation, Chidilim Menakaya, highlighted the project as a practical, community‑focused solution that delivers both environmental and socio‑economic benefits. “By bringing structured recycling solutions closer to residents, we are not only promoting environmental responsibility but also creating opportunities for households to derive economic value from recycling activities,” Menakaya said.
Chief of Staff Olaide Bello, representing Ojodu LCDA Executive Chairman David Olusegun Odunmbaku, praised the hubs for their strategic location and noted that they align with the LCDA’s sustainability and development priorities. “The initiative transforms waste into valuable resources, reduces environmental impact, supports climate action and creates livelihood opportunities for residents,” Bello remarked.
The Sahara Go Recycling Initiative, launched by the foundation in 2020, operates a network of recycling hubs across Nigeria. Each hub provides collection points, sorting facilities and training for informal waste pickers, enabling them to earn income while contributing to waste reduction goals. According to Sahara Group, the hubs have already processed over 10 kilotons of plastic, paper and metal since inception, diverting a significant volume from municipal dumps.
The Ojodu hubs are expected to serve an estimated 150,000 households within the LCDA, offering convenient drop‑off points and linking recyclables to downstream processors. The foundation plans to monitor the hubs’ performance through data collection on waste volumes, participant incomes and environmental impact, with results informing future expansions in other Lagos districts and beyond.
The commissioning underscores growing private‑sector participation in Nigeria’s waste‑management sector, where the government estimates that less than 30 percent of solid waste is formally recycled. By integrating community‑based recycling into urban planning, initiatives such as Sahara Go aim to close the gap between waste generation and resource recovery.
The Sahara Group Foundation has indicated that additional hubs are slated for commissioning later in 2026, as part of its broader strategy to promote sustainable ecosystems, strengthen local resilience and advance inclusive economic growth through “EXTRApreneurship.”
