Third from right: Dr. Ifeanyi Ochonogor, CEO – E-Terra Technologies; Dr. Oyekemi Oyelolola, Dangote, Head of Sustainability DCP; Mr. Chris Mba, E-waste Relief Foundation ERF, Prog. Coordinator; standing at the back: Mr. Patrick Inoh, E-Terra, Technical Director; Mr Abdullahi, Mr Jonathan Ephraim, Sustainability Analyst DCP, Mr. Theobald Rwamugira, Sustainability Specialist DCP; 2nd from right, Ibrahim, Environment & Social Analyst DIL and Ms. Kosisochukwu Nwali, Sustainability Analyst, DCP
By Matthew Johnson
The Dangote Cement Circular Economy Champions Team and the E-waste Relief Foundation (ERF) have visited the Material Recovery and Recycling Facility (MRRF) of E-Terra Technologies Ltd. in Abule Ado, Lagos, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration, promote practical knowledge and advance responsible electronic waste (e-waste) management in Nigeria.
The visit gave the delegation an opportunity to observe E-Terra’s operations, including e-waste collection, data destruction, sorting, dismantling, material recovery and recycling.
The team also examined the company’s approach to environmental responsibility, occupational health and safety, quality management, traceability and resource efficiency, in line with recognised international management-system principles and global best practices.
Speaking during the visit, Team Lead of the Dangote Cement Circular Economy Champions Team, Dr. Oyekemi Oyelola, described the experience as eye-opening.
“We have seen, first-hand, how waste can be systematically transformed from an environmental burden into valuable resources. The level of organisation, technical processes and commitment to sustainable waste management demonstrated by E-Terra is truly impressive,” she said.
Welcoming the delegation, E-Terra Technologies Ltd.’s CEO, Chief Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwutem Ochonogor, described the visit as an important opportunity to deepen collaboration.
“Hosting a global company like Dangote is a great privilege for us. We are happy to have Dangote as one of the leading voices and potential partners in this important journey. Together, we can do much more to protect our environment and safeguard lives from the growing menace of electronic waste,” he said.
The ERF Team Lead, Mr. Jeremiah Ebeleme, said the visit marked the beginning of a mutually beneficial approach to addressing Nigeria’s e-waste crisis.
“The e-waste challenge is growing beyond what any single organisation can address. We need to sensitise the public, engage manufacturers, mobilise government, bring opinion leaders on board and encourage stakeholders to unite in confronting this growing monster,” he said.
The delegation was conducted around the facility by E-Terra’s Technical Director and Facility Coordinator, Mr. Patrick Inoh, who explained the various stages of the recycling process and responded to questions from the team.
According to him, “A successful circular economy begins with understanding what happens to waste after it leaves our homes, offices and businesses. Our responsibility is to ensure that those materials are handled safely, responsibly and transformed into resources wherever possible.”
The visit highlights the need for stronger collaboration among industry players, government, manufacturers, environmental organisations and other stakeholders to address Nigeria’s growing e-waste challenge.
Such partnerships, the organisations noted, are critical to expanding resource recovery, strengthening environmental protection and accelerating the development of a more sustainable circular economy in Nigeria.
