European Union-backed partners, in collaboration with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, have intensified efforts to address construction and demolition waste in Lagos through the Green Waste Remediation and Recycling Vocational Training Workshop.

The workshop, held at the LCCI Conference and Exhibition Centre in Ikeja, brought together policymakers, industry stakeholders, academics and development partners to confront the mounting challenge of construction waste in a fast-growing urban environment.

LAWMA disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi.

The statement quoted the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, as saying in his welcome remarks that the initiative represents a strategic intervention designed to close technical skill gaps and align construction waste management with global best practices.

Gbadegesin, who was represented at the event by LAWMA’s Executive Director, Finance, Mr Kunle Adebiyi, said the GROW project was conceived to drive the green transformation of the construction sector by encouraging sustainable waste practices, building technical capacity and promoting collaboration among government, training institutions and industry players.

He added that the initiative, co-funded by the European Union under the ERASMUS+ programme, targets Nigeria and Mozambique as emerging growth economies grappling with rising construction waste challenges.

He further stated that LAWMA is intensifying efforts to improve the management of construction, demolition and disaster waste, ensuring proper handling across the value chain while expanding prospects for recycling and resource recovery.

He also stressed that the initiative would enhance skills development, generate employment opportunities and fast-track the shift from a linear to a circular waste management model.

In her address, the Project Coordinator, Isabel Goncalves, described the workshop as timely, noting that the GROW project was structured to provide practical, skills-driven solutions to the rising volume of construction waste.

She added that the initiative would boost workforce capacity, improve waste management outcomes in participating countries and foster stronger collaboration among key stakeholders.

Other stakeholders, including representatives of industry bodies, waste management associations, academia and private sector partners, also took part in the deliberations.

The workshop featured technical sessions and breakout discussions focused on skills gap assessment and workforce development, with participants outlining practical strategies to boost recycling, reuse and overall efficiency in construction waste management.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to deepening partnerships, strengthening policy implementation and promoting sustainable construction waste practices in Lagos and beyond.