The Executive Governor of Dapo Abiodun has removed the Managing Director of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), Abayomi Hunye, following months of controversy and protests by waste management vendors across the state.
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| Farouk Akintunde |
Hunye’s removal comes amid sustained allegations of extortion and arbitrary levy increases levelled against him by members of the Association of Waste Management Vendors and Recyclers of Nigeria (AWMVRN). The Governor has appointed Alhaji Farouk Akintunde, his Special Adviser on Environment, as the new Managing Director of the agency.
Protests and Allegations
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| Abayomi Hunye, Ousted MD |
The crisis within OGWAMA reached a boiling point in January 2026 when aggrieved vendors staged protests, demanding Hunye’s sack. The protesters accused the former MD of imposing “unbearable” financial demands on operators, including an increase in annual registration fees from N100,000 to N200,000.
Chanting “Hunye Must Go,” the vendors alleged that the levy hike and other charges were arbitrary and had placed severe hardship on waste operators across the state. They further claimed that certain local operators were being sidelined in favour of preferred outsiders.
According to the protesters, the situation had disrupted business operations and threatened livelihoods within the waste management sector.
Hunye’s Defence
Hunye consistently denied all allegations of extortion, insisting that no illegal payments were collected from vendors. He maintained that all fees were paid directly into official government accounts.
“Their extortion claim is not true because I have collected no money from any of them illegally,” Hunye said in response to the accusations. “They have always paid into OGWAMA’s account, and paying into government coffers cannot be described as extortion.”
On the issue of the fee increase, Hunye clarified that the adjustment from N100,000 to N200,000 was agreed upon with the vendors’ association for the 2024 and 2025 operational years.
He also linked the protests to his crackdown on what he described as a “cartel” within the system. According to him, some operators registered multiple companies under different names to dominate contracts and stifle competition. Hunye said he enforced a one-company-per-person policy to promote fairness and accountability, a move he claimed triggered resistance from affected parties.
The former MD further threatened legal action against the protesters for defamation, alleging that the accusations were aimed at undermining reforms within OGWAMA. He also pointed to counter-allegations that some of the protesting members had previously faced suspension within their association over claims of fraud, misrepresentation and forgery.
Government’s Decision
While the Ogun State Government has not released a detailed statement outlining the specific reasons for Hunye’s removal, sources within the administration suggest that the decision was taken in the interest of restoring calm and confidence in the state’s waste management system.
Appointment Letter
The appointment of Farouk Akintunde, who previously served as Special Adviser on Environment, is seen as a strategic move to stabilise the agency and address stakeholders’ concerns.
Industry observers note that waste management remains a critical component of environmental sustainability and public health in Ogun State. The recent leadership change is expected to usher in renewed dialogue between the government and waste operators.
Stakeholders React
Vendors who had called for Hunye’s removal described the development as a “welcome step,” expressing hope that the new leadership would review existing policies and ease financial pressures on operators.
However, some analysts caution that beyond leadership changes, structural reforms and transparent engagement with stakeholders will be crucial in preventing future crises within OGWAMA.
As Farouk Akintunde assumes office, attention now turns to how the new MD will navigate the delicate balance between enforcing accountability and ensuring that policies do not stifle operators within the sector.
The unfolding developments mark a significant chapter in Ogun State’s environmental governance, with many watching closely to see whether the change in leadership will bring lasting stability to the state’s waste management system.
