Ororo Waste Management Limited, LASEPA, Shell Foundation and the Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) have trained about 250 waste pickers, market women and youths to boost used cooking oil collection and create more jobs across Lagos State.
Ororo Waste Management organised the two-day training with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Shell Foundation and WAPAN from July 9 to 10, 2026, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja.
The programme taught participants how to safely collect, handle, store and transport used cooking oil. It also showed them how to earn income while supporting a cleaner environment.
The training forms part of the partnership between Ororo Waste Management and the Lagos State Government to expand household used cooking oil collection through LASEPA’s 21 zonal offices.
About 250 participants from different Lagos communities joined the programme.
They included waste pickers, market women and youths from different ethnic groups. They received training on quality control, traceability, environmental best practices and the value of used cooking oil in producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and biodiesel.
Speaking during the programme, one of the facilitators, Mrs. Adebiyi Atinuke, said the large turnout showed that more people now understand the value of used cooking oil.
She said many people once doubted that used vegetable oil could generate income. However, the training helped participants understand both its financial and environmental benefits.
According to her, the programme aims to empower market women and youths, especially young people looking for sustainable sources of income.
She added that proper disposal of used cooking oil will also improve public health.
Mrs. Atinuke said participation was free. Organisers also provided transport for participants to and from the venue.
She called for more awareness campaigns in markets and communities to attract more residents. She added that people receive payment for every quantity of used cooking oil they supply through the collection network.
The Director of Operations at Ororo Waste Management Limited, Mr. Olaitan Dawodu, said the company first collected used cooking oil from restaurants and hotels.
However, support from Shell Foundation now allows the company to extend collection to households through a structured community network.
He explained that waste pickers will collect used cooking oil from homes, market women and other approved collection points.
They will then take it to community collection kiosks where trained youths will check the quality before the oil enters the recycling chain.
Mr. Dawodu said every participant, including waste pickers, market women and youths, will earn income for their role. He noted that the system will create jobs while protecting public health and the environment.
He added that the company carried out awareness campaigns in markets and communities before the training.
The exercise showed residents how collecting used cooking oil can increase household income.
He said the programme will educate residents about the health risks of repeatedly using cooking oil for food preparation. It will also encourage safe disposal methods.
He urged Lagos residents to use the growing network of collection points at LASEPA zonal offices, Laddo Filling Stations, participating markets and other approved centres. He said wider participation will support environmental sustainability and create more economic opportunities across the state.
External Links
Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA): https://lasepa.lagosstate.gov.ng/
Shell Foundation: https://shellfoundation.org/
Lagos State Government: https://lagosstate.gov.ng/
