Sahara Group Foundation opens 23rd recycling hub at Lagos military base

Sahara Group Foundation has opened a new recycling centre at the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base in Ikeja, Lagos, as part of its push to turn household waste into income.

The centre is the 23rd under the foundation's Sahara Go Recycling scheme, which collects and processes recyclable waste and pays people along the chain — from pickers to sorters and transporters.

The foundation, the charity arm of energy company Sahara Group, said the aim is to treat waste as something with value rather than a burden on communities.

Why it matters for households

Waste disposal is a daily cost and headache for many Lagos families, and informal collectors already earn a living from scrap. The foundation says its hubs create income for households through what it calls waste-to-wealth programmes.

Since it started, Sahara Go Recycling has handled more than 1,000 tonnes of recyclable waste and supported over 2,000 livelihoods, directly and indirectly, across collection, sorting, logistics and small community businesses, according to the foundation.

At the opening, foundation director Chidilim Menakaya said the scheme ties environmental goals to everyday earnings.

"This initiative aligns with our sustainability and development priorities by transforming waste into valuable resources, reducing environmental impact, supporting climate action and creating livelihood opportunities," she said.

She added that cooperation between the foundation, residents and partners was central to keeping the hubs running.

Air Commodore M.A. Imam, Commander of the 651 Base Services Group, praised the investment and stressed that waste management in fast-growing communities needs joint effort from many players.

Ikeja Electric's head of corporate communications, Kingsley Okotie, said the power company was pleased to work with the foundation on environmental responsibility at the base. He restated Ikeja Electric's commitment to steady power supply and to the wellbeing of customers, institutions and communities.

The ceremony drew Sahara Group and foundation staff, Air Force officials, community leaders, volunteers and residents.

What happens next

The foundation said it will keep expanding Sahara Go Recycling to other communities. For residents around Ikeja, the practical question will be how quickly the new hub starts buying or accepting sorted waste — and at what rates.