5th Cycling Lagos: Experts to examine recycling opportunities, waste management

Experts, policymakers, environmental advocates, recycling practitioners, businesses and other stakeholders in the waste management sector are set to converge virtually for the 5th Cycling Lagos Webinar as Cycling Africa seeks to unlock Nigeria’s vast but largely untapped recycling potential.

The webinar, scheduled for Thursday, September 3, 2026, is part of activities leading up to the 5th edition of Cycling Lagos, billed to take place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The virtual event, organised under the theme, “Trash to Treasure: Unlocking Recycling Capacity for a Sustainable Future,” is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to examine practical approaches to Nigeria’s growing waste management challenges while exploring the economic, environmental and social opportunities embedded in the recycling value chain.

Speaking ahead of the webinar in Lagos, President/Chief Executive Officer of Cycling Africa, Bamidele Adeleye, said the event was designed to bring together key players who could contribute ideas and solutions towards strengthening Nigeria’s recycling ecosystem.

According to him, Nigeria generates enormous quantities of waste daily, but a significant percentage of recyclable materials remains underutilised due to inadequate infrastructure, limited public awareness and other challenges affecting the recycling value chain.

Adeleye said greater investment, stronger policies and improved collaboration among stakeholders could transform waste management from an environmental challenge into an important source of economic opportunities.

He explained that the webinar would feature prominent industry leaders and stakeholders, including the National President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), Dr. Olugbenga Adebola; Director, Sahara Group Foundation, Mrs. Chidilim Menakaya; and Regional Coordinator, South West Division, Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN), Princess Florence Oluwafeyikemi Egbeyemi, among others.

The event will be moderated by former Chairman of the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN) and Executive Producer of Brandworld Media, Clara Okoro.

Focus on Nigeria’s recycling capacity
Adeleye said the webinar would examine ways of expanding Nigeria’s recycling capacity and strengthening the various stages of the recycling value chain, from waste collection and sorting to processing, reuse and the creation of new products.

He noted that the 2026 Cycling Lagos campaign was deliberately designed to go beyond the sporting event by using cycling as a platform to promote healthier lifestyles, sustainable communities and positive environmental behaviour.

According to him, this year’s “Trash to Treasure” campaign is intended to encourage Nigerians to rethink their perception of waste and recognise discarded materials as resources that can generate economic and social value when properly collected, processed and reused.

“Nigeria generates a huge volume of waste every day, yet a significant proportion of recyclable materials remains underutilised,” Adeleye said.

He added that stronger public awareness, investment in recycling infrastructure, effective policies and greater collaboration among stakeholders could help unlock the enormous potential of Nigeria’s recycling sector.

Cycling Lagos goes beyond sports
The Cycling Africa boss stressed that Cycling Lagos was not simply a sporting event but a broader platform for promoting healthy lifestyles, environmental sustainability, community development and positive social change.

“Cycling Lagos has always been about more than cycling. It is a platform for promoting healthy lifestyles, sustainable communities and positive social change,” he said.

“This year, through the Trash to Treasure campaign, we are using cycling to draw attention to the urgent need for better waste management and the opportunities that recycling presents for Nigeria.”

He said the campaign would seek to encourage individuals, businesses and communities to adopt more responsible approaches to waste disposal while promoting recycling and environmental consciousness.

Stakeholders to examine circular economy
The webinar is also expected to examine the respective roles of government, private-sector investors, recycling companies, manufacturers, consumers and community-based organisations in developing a more effective circular economy in Nigeria.
Participants are expected to share experiences and practical ideas on waste collection, sorting, recycling and reuse, as well as the implementation of extended producer responsibility initiatives.

The discussions are also expected to explore how the recycling sector can contribute to employment generation and create opportunities for young Nigerians.

Adeleye said greater cooperation among the public and private sectors would be critical to building a sustainable recycling ecosystem capable of creating jobs while reducing the environmental impact of poorly managed waste.

He also emphasised the need to create greater awareness among consumers and communities, noting that effective recycling begins with responsible waste management at the point where waste is generated.

Webinar precedes 5th Cycling Lagos
The webinar is one of the activities leading up to the 5th Cycling Lagos, which will culminate in a major cycling event at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

The physical event is expected to attract cyclists, families, corporate organisations, government representatives, environmental advocates and members of the public.
Organisers said the event would provide an opportunity to combine sports, healthy living, environmental awareness and community engagement.

Cycling Lagos is organised and marketed by Cycling Africa in collaboration with the Lagos State Cycling Association.

Cycling Africa is a sports marketing organisation focused on using the potential of cycling to promote healthy lifestyles, sports tourism, environmental sustainability and community development across African cities.

The organisation also manages the annual Cycling Kano event in collaboration with the Kano State Government.

Call for participation
Interested participants in the September 3 webinar are encouraged to register through the event’s registration platform.

The organisers said participation would provide stakeholders with an opportunity to engage experts and other industry players on practical strategies for improving waste management and expanding Nigeria’s recycling capacity.

The discussions are expected to reinforce the message that waste can be transformed into economic value when supported by appropriate policies, infrastructure, investment, innovation and public participation.

The organisers also invited businesses, government institutions, environmental organisations, recycling practitioners and other interested stakeholders to participate in the webinar and the 5th Cycling Lagos.

For sponsorship, partnership and participation enquiries, Cycling Africa said interested organisations and individuals can contact the organisers through the Cycling Lagos platform or the official event email.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with increasing waste generation and the environmental consequences of inadequate waste management, the organisers believe the “Trash to Treasure” campaign can help stimulate a broader conversation on how recycling can contribute to cleaner communities, economic growth, employment creation and a more sustainable future.