Lagos State is transitioning to an innovative and sustainable consumption model to save future generations from resource scarcity.
The launch of the Circular Economy Hotspot on Wednesday in Lagos marked the beginning of the transformation of the current order of production towards regeneration and sustainability.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu formally unveiled the initiative at a conference organized by the state government in cooperation with the Circular Economy Innovation Partnership (CEIP) and the African Circular Economy Network.
The two-day event ‘Towards a Circular Economy and Resources: The Future of Lagos’ holding at the Lagos Continental Hotel on Victoria Island. The initiative aims to create a new way of producing and consuming, based on the production, repair and recycling of used materials. The circular economy is based on the regeneration of products to continue production in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.
Sanwo-Olu said the idea is key to Nigeria’s future, noting that a circular economy would offer a programmatic approach to addressing global economic crises caused by pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss.
The governor said Lagos had taken a step forward in supporting an initiative to create new wealth for young people in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), while creating more jobs as more innovation and workers were needed to win back the ideas. been there for a long time.
The Governor of said: “The Circular Economy Hotspot 2023 is critical not only for Lagos and Nigeria, but for sub-Saharan Africa as a whole.”
This is in line with my government’s founding principle of citizen participation and partnership in ours Promote efforts to support the dynamic socio-economic development of Lagos. Developing countries like ours, which have contributed the least to global warming, are feeling the worst effects of climate change. We also lack access to the resources and strategies needed to combat and adapt to climate change.
“To save future generations from resource scarcity, efforts must be made to ensure that resources are reused to minimize waste. Our linear approach to the delivery of public goods and services is reassessed and fully embraces the principles of the circular economy. We believe this initiative will create more jobs in a city like Lagos as it will require more innovative manufacturing ideas and more labor to keep the materials available for a long time.”
Sanwo-Olu announced that the state’s journey towards a circular economy began three years ago when Lagos brought together stakeholders at a roundtable to discuss options for a resource-rich and zero-waste economy. He explained that in 2021 a Lagos Circular Technical Working Group was set up to coordinate and facilitate the development of the initiative and to support and monitor the implementation of the project.
The governor said the state is continuing its efforts by launching an online, interactive citizen engagement dashboard designed to measure implementation. Sanwo-Olu reiterated his government’s commitment to promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth by promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns.
He said: “This event will take place at the best possible time, especially as the nation continues the process of freeing its limited resources and channeling them in the best way to meet the diverse socio-economic needs of its citizens.”
The numerous commercial activities in Lagos, coupled with its strong connection to international business, have made the state a beacon of prosperity, attracting a steady influx of people and leading to population growth.
“The temporary pressure on our limited resources therefore requires a conscious transition from materialization to dematerialization.”Based on these and other actions, we believe Lagos will be assessed against Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8, 9 and 12 to foster inclusive growth and build resilient infrastructure.
Bolaji Akinboro, co-chair of CEIP, said the circular economy concept will enable the state to build a new cycle of material use and save future generations from scarcity.
Akinboro said Lagos is setting the tone for a new business model that would set new trends and standards for sustainability.
“The introduction of a circular economy will lay the foundation for large companies operating in Lagos to enter a new economic trend,” he said.
The Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Michael Deelen, commended Lagos for being the first ordinary citizen to embark on a circular economy project, noting that it was time for Nigeria, his perspective and expectations to change.
Deelen, represented by Vice Consul General Ms. Leone Van der Stijl, noted that climate change will worsen and will reach a point where the planet’s ecosystem will not be able to recover the resources it consumes to fill up.
The envoy said: “Given that 70% of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 30, the likelihood of climate change affecting their future is exponentially greater.”It just means that in the future there will be more people living in poverty than we can manage today.
“It makes sense to replace the current linear model of collection, use and release with a circular model of reintroducing recycled materials into the system.” The Netherlands is ready to provide the knowledge and skills needed to build a circular economy model are.
During the event, the Lagos State Government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Dutch circular hotspot on technical cooperation and knowledge sharing to accelerate the implementation of policies promoting the circular economy.
