….. Turning Used Cooking Oil Into Income For Micro-Entrepreneurs Across Lagos
By Aina Shehu
Ororo Waste Management, in collaboration with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), supported by the Shell Foundation, today launched Collection Kiosks for used cooking oil, enabling the informal economy to earn a dignified living and become micro-entrepreneurs while uplifting their income.
The launch, held at the LASEPA’s Head Office at Alausa, Ikeja, brought together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors committed to waste-to-value solutions, public health protection, youth empowerment, and responsible environmental management.
In his welcome address, the General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, described the initiative as a strategic step toward environmental protection, climate action, and economic empowerment.
He noted that used cooking oil plays a critical role in the global biofuel supply chain and that Lagos alone has the potential to unlock a minimum of $20 million market value due to its population size and cooking habits.
Dr. Ajayi emphasised that improper disposal of used cooking oil contributes significantly to blocked drainage systems, flooding, road damage, groundwater contamination, and disease outbreaks.
He explained that reheating cooking oil multiple times also poses serious health risks, making structured collection essential for both public health and environmental sustainability.
According to him, the initiative will establish collection points across all LASEPA zonal offices, including the agency’s headquarters, where residents will be incentivised for turning in used cooking oil. He added that linking environmental compliance with economic value encourages voluntary participation and ensures long-term sustainability.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Project Lead of Ororo Waste Management, Mr. Ayo Banjo, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to building a circular economy around used cooking oil.
He stated that environmental sustainability and economic empowerment are interconnected, adding that household oil accounts for between 50 and 60 per cent of used cooking oil generation.
Mr. Banjo explained that Ororo Waste Management has worked closely with LASEPA to drive compliance and collection among restaurants, hotels, and commercial kitchens, adding that the household kiosk rollout represents the next phase of the initiative. He noted that the programme creates dignified income opportunities for waste pickers, youths, and micro-entrepreneurs while positioning Lagos and Nigeria as key contributors to the global biofuel supply chain.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Union Affairs (Tertiary Education), Mr. Samuel Kappo, commended LASEPA and Ororo Waste Management for the initiative, describing it as a step toward a safer and healthier Lagos. He emphasised the role of students and young people in ensuring the programme’s success.
The event culminated in the official unveiling of the Household Used Cooking Oil Collection Kiosk Initiative by the General Manager of LASEPA alongside key stakeholders, marking the commencement of the initiative across Lagos State.
LASEPA encourages residents to actively participate by depositing their used cooking oil at designated Ororo UCO kiosks located at LASEPA zonal offices and approved collection points, reinforcing collective responsibility toward environmental protection, public health, and sustainable waste management.