The Lagos State government has refuted reports suggesting that the state had resumed its monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
This was clarified by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who said no official statement had been made regarding the commencement date of the exercise.
The clarification comes amid public interest in waste management, following rising concerns over clogged drains and indiscriminate refuse disposal in the state.
What the government said
According to Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab, engagements with stakeholders are ongoing to determine a suitable schedule for the exercise.
- He explained that the state had planned to start a sensitisation programme last week, though it has yet to begin.
- “The truth is, we were meant to start with a sensitisation programme last week, but we had a logistics issue. We need to find a day that is acceptable to all stakeholders,” he said.
- Wahab added that the official date for the exercise will be announced by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu once finalized.
- He urged residents to continue their lawful activities without interruption, reassuring them that adequate notice would be provided before the reintroduction of the exercise.
Backstory
The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was traditionally held on the last Saturday of every month from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., but was suspended in November 2016 following a legal ruling that restricted movement during the exercise.
The Lagos State Government has repeatedly announced plans to resume the exercise, including statements in 2024 and June 2025.
During these announcements, Wahab stressed that sanitation must be a lifestyle rather than a seasonal campaign and called on residents to support the government’s vision of a cleaner city.
Calls for its return have grown in recent years due to worsening waste management challenges, including blocked drainage channels and indiscriminate dumping of refuse, which have contributed to environmental hazards and flood risks.
What you should know
The state continues to implement complementary waste management strategies, including enhanced refuse collection, drainage maintenance, and public education campaigns, aimed at reducing recurring sanitation and flood risks.
- In 2025, LAWMA launched a truck leasing programme to support Private Sector Participant (PSP) operators, providing compactor trucks to improve collection efficiency and mitigate operational challenges linked to rising diesel costs and foreign exchange volatility.
- The agency is also advancing a circular economy approach, targeting the diversion of up to 10,000 tonnes of waste per day from landfills into productive uses. This initiative has the potential to generate $2.5 billion annually through recycling and reuse. Community recycling hubs further support the programme, allowing residents to exchange PET bottles, paper, metals, and food waste for incentives, fostering a more sustainable and efficient waste management system.
- In addition to this, the state government has also imposed fines and 3 months jail terms for illegal dumping and littering to discourage environmental negligence and reinforce proper waste disposal behaviours.
