Draft:Muyiwa Gbadegesin

Muyiwa Gbadegesin
Managing Director  Lagos Waste Management Authority
In office 29 May 2019 – 29 Present
Preceded by	Ola Oresanya
Special Advisor (Projects)  Oyo State
In office 2011 – 2017
Commissioner for Health Oyo State
In office 2015 – May 2017
Preceded by	Temitope Alonge
Succeeded by	Azeez Adeduntan
Senior Special Assistant (Technology & Special Projects), Lagos State
In office 2003 – 2007
Residence(s)	Lagos, Nigeria
Education	* Howard University (BSc, Biology) * Georgetown University (PhD, Neuroscience)
Occupation	* Public servant * Technocrat * Political strategist
Awards	List of honors and awards
Website	lawma.gov.ng

Muyiwa Gbadegesin (born September 28, 1970) is a Nigerian public servant, political strategist, and technocrat, best known for his work in environmental policy, healthcare reform, and governance technology in Nigeria. As the Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Gbadegesin has been recognized for spearheading initiatives that have significantly advanced waste management practices in Lagos State, establishing it as a leading model of sustainable urban waste management in Africa.

Early Life and Education

Born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, on September 28, 1970, Muyiwa Gbadegesin pursued his early education in Nigeria before moving to the United States for his tertiary studies. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Howard University in Washington, DC, graduating summa cum laude in 1994. Gbadegesin continued his studies at Georgetown University, where he obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Neuroscience in 1999. During his doctoral program, he led a significant NIH-funded research project, managing a team of twelve on a $6 million budget, and was awarded the Young Investigator Grant for his research contributions.

Career

Early Career and Consultancy

After completing his studies, Gbadegesin returned to Nigeria, where he worked as a consultant with the Modandola Group and the Bode Akindele Foundation. In this role, he contributed to multimillion-dollar projects in telecommunications and healthcare. Following his consultancy experience, he founded Village Square Communications, a platform dedicated to nurturing young professionals and supporting investment in creative projects.

Public Service in Lagos State

In 2003, Gbadegesin was appointed to a series of leadership roles within the Lagos State Government, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing government transparency and efficiency through technology. As Senior Special Assistant (Technology & Special Projects), he led the development of QuickCount 2007, an SMS-based election monitoring system that represented an early application of mobile technology in Nigerian electoral processes. Gbadegesin also supervised the digitization of six million land records, modernizing land transactions in the state. Later, as Director of the Land Information Systems Support Unit, he oversaw the digitization of layouts for government land schemes, helping to improve accessibility and efficiency within the state’s land registry.

Contributions in Oyo State

In 2011, Gbadegesin’s public service career extended to Oyo State, where he assumed several key roles. As Special Adviser (Projects), he helped secure a $200 million World Bank loan aimed at flood mitigation and urban resilience. During his tenure as Commissioner for Health, he introduced the Oyo State Community-Based Health Insurance Programme and launched the state’s first Ambulance and Emergency Service, expanding healthcare access for underserved communities. Gbadegesin’s policies provided free medical services to over 500,000 people through the state’s Free Health Mission, which focused on delivering essential care to low-income populations.

Leadership at Lagos Waste Management Authority

Since his appointment as Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in 2019, Gbadegesin has led transformative efforts to address waste management challenges in Lagos, one of Africa’s largest urban centers. His initiatives include the introduction of digital tracking systems for waste collection, aimed at improving service efficiency and operational transparency. Under his leadership, LAWMA has also pioneered circular economy practices, launching programs focused on recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy projects to reduce dependency on landfills. These efforts have been coupled with public engagement campaigns promoting waste segregation and responsible environmental practices among Lagos residents.

Through policy reforms, infrastructure development, and collaboration with private waste operators, Gbadegesin has strengthened the state’s waste management framework, positioning Lagos as a leader in environmental sustainability in West Africa.

Political Advocacy and Civic Engagement

Beyond his roles in public administration, Gbadegesin is a founding member of the Coalition of Democrats for ElectoralReforms (CODER). His work with CODER has focused on advancing Nigeria’s democratic processes through innovative voter registration systems and election monitoring tools, contributing to the credibility and transparency of Nigerian elections.

Recognition and Legacy

Muyiwa Gbadegesin’s contributions to public service have earned him national and international recognition. During his tenure in Lagos, he was part of the team that led the state to victory in the Science and Technology category at the WorldLeadership Awards in London in 2006. His early research work in neuroscience earned him the prestigious Young Investigator Grant, an award highlighting his commitment to innovation and research excellence.

Personal Life

Gbadegesin’s work is informed by a deep commitment to public service and innovation. He resides in Lagos, Nigeria, where he continues to advocate for sustainable policies in governance, healthcare, and environmental management.

References

1. "Gbadegesin Drives Bold Initiatives at LAWMA" - Independent Nigeria
2. "LAWMA Plans Improved Waste Management, Recycling Efforts in 2024" - OnePage Africa
3. "LAWMA Vows to Step Up Waste Management, Recycling Efforts in 2024" - EnviroNews Nigeria
4. "LAWMA Unveils Plans for Strategic Waste Management in Lagos" - BusinessDay Nigeria
5. "Lagos: Gbadegesin Drives Bold Initiatives at LAWMA" - TheGuildNG