By Olasunkanmi Akoni
The Lagos State Government has unveiled plans to convert waste generated from abattoirs and slaughterhouses into biogas and organic fertiliser as part of efforts to promote sustainable sanitation and a circular economy.
The state government disclosed this on Friday at a one-day workshop for abattoir operators in Ajah, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, under the theme, “Red to Green: From Waste Disposal to Resource Recovery.”
The workshop, held at ABIS Farmers Market, Ajah, was organised as part of the state’s waste-to-wealth initiative.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen, said the state was shifting its focus from conventional waste disposal to resource recovery.
Represented by the Director of Public Sanitation Utility, Mr Rahman Fagbolade, Gaji said abattoirs played a critical role in Lagos’ food system and economy but generated large volumes of waste, including blood, paunch and rumen contents, bones, horns, hooves, faecal matter and wastewater.
He warned that improper management of the materials could result in pollution, blocked drainages, offensive odours and public health risks.
“While enforcement is necessary, sustainable compliance also requires continuous stakeholder engagement, education and capacity building.
“The workshop was designed to move the conversation beyond conventional waste disposal towards resource recovery and waste-to-wealth,” he said.
Gaji said materials traditionally regarded as waste could be processed into biogas and organic fertiliser, while bones, horns and hooves could be converted into products for other industries.
“When properly segregated, processed and managed, materials traditionally regarded as waste can become valuable resources that support enterprise development, job creation, additional income generation and the growth of a circular economy,” he said.
The permanent secretary identified regulation, education, innovation and collaboration as the four pillars for sustainable waste management in the sector.
He urged abattoir operators to view compliance not only as a legal requirement but also as an investment in public health, consumer confidence and the long-term sustainability of their businesses.
He also encouraged youths to explore opportunities in sustainable environmental management and urged farmers to embrace waste-to-wealth initiatives capable of improving agricultural productivity.
Gaji said the transition from “Red to Green” represented a fundamental change in the way waste was perceived and managed.
“It seeks to transform waste from an environmental burden into a valuable resource, a disposal challenge into an economic opportunity,” he said.
He urged participants to implement the recommendations from the workshop, stressing that the success of the initiative would ultimately be measured by actions taken after the event.
“The true measure of success for this initiative will not be today’s discussions alone, but the actions we take afterwards in our abattoirs, slaughterhouses, farms, businesses and communities,” he said.
The state government expressed optimism that the initiative would result in cleaner abattoirs, improved sanitation and a stronger circular economy in Lagos.
In a guest lecture titled, “From By-products to Business: Unlocking the Economic Value of Bones, Horns, Hooves and Other Abattoir By-products,” Mr Muyiwa Semowo highlighted the economic opportunities in abattoir by-products.
Semowo said materials often regarded as waste could be processed into valuable products for industries including agriculture, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and animal feed.
He urged operators to adopt proper segregation, handling and processing methods to improve the quality and market value of the by-products.
According to him, embracing a circular economy approach would reduce environmental pollution, improve sanitation around abattoirs, create new businesses, generate employment and increase the income of operators.
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