Lagos Moves To Produce Biogas, Fertiliser From Abattoir Waste

The Lagos State Government has renewed its efforts to curb environmental pollution by promoting the recovery and conversion of abattoir waste into useful and commercially viable products.

The initiative was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Kunle Adeshina.

According to Adeshina, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Dr Gaji Tajudeen, spoke on the initiative at a one-day workshop for abattoir operators held at ABIS Farmers Market, Ajah, Lagos.

The workshop, themed: “Red to Green: From Waste Disposal to Resource Recovery,” focused on sustainable waste management, public health protection and ways of creating economic value from waste generated during slaughtering and meat processing.

Represented by the director, Public Sanitation Utility, Rahman Fagbolade, Tajudeen, said abattoirs and slaughterhouses were vital to Lagos’ food production system, supporting livelihoods and contributing to economic activities across the state.

He, however, noted that slaughtering activities generated different forms of waste, including blood, paunch and rumen contents, bones, horns, hooves, faecal matter and wastewater.

He warned that poor management of such waste could lead to environmental pollution, poor sanitation, blocked drainage channels, offensive odours and public health risks.

Tajudeen said the state government would continue to ensure that abattoirs and slaughterhouses complied with established environmental and sanitation standards.

He added that achieving sustainable compliance would require continuous engagement, education and capacity building among operators.

The permanent secretary said the workshop was aimed at changing the perception of abattoir waste from something to be discarded into a resource that could generate wealth and support economic development.

He explained that blood, paunch and rumen contents, wastewater and faecal matter could be processed into biogas and organic fertiliser, while bones, horns and hooves could undergo further processing for value addition.

“When properly segregated, processed and managed, materials traditionally regarded as waste can become valuable resources that support enterprise development, job creation, additional income generation and the growth of a circular economy,” he said.

Tajudeen identified regulation, education, innovation and collaboration as key to achieving sustainable waste management in the abattoir sector.

He urged operators to see environmental compliance not merely as a regulatory requirement but as an investment in public health, consumer confidence and the long-term sustainability of their businesses.

Speaking on “From By-products to Business: Unlocking the Economic Value of Bones, Horns, Hooves and Other Abattoir By-products,” the guest lecturer, Muyiwa Semowo, urged operators and other stakeholders to adopt innovative methods for converting abattoir by-products into sources of income.

Semowo said the materials could be processed into valuable products for industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and animal feed.

He called for proper segregation, handling and processing of the by-products to improve their quality and market value.

According to him, embracing a circular economy approach would not only reduce pollution and improve sanitation around abattoirs but also create new businesses, generate employment and increase operators’ income.