Tokunbo Wahab, Rhodes-Vivour Clash Over Waste Disposal In Lagos

A back-and-forth has ensued between the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, and the Labour Party Lagos State governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

This began after Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, issued a directive for the immediate scale-up of waste evacuation across the state following the recent buildup of refuse in some parts of the state.

“LAWMA, LASEPA, and the Ministry of Environment are currently working around the clock. We have deployed extra trucks and personnel to clear the backlogs across all affected neighbourhoods. You should already see progress on the streets, and we will not stop until our city is completely clean again,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Reacting, Rhodes-Vivour, who lost the 2023 election to Sanwo-Olu, described the governor’s directive as an admission of failure, not a solution.

Sharing on X, he stated that Lagosians do not need periodic emergency evacuations of mountains of refuse. “What they need is a functional waste management system that prevents waste from accumulating in the first place,” he said.

He lamented that for years, residents have endured overflowing dumps, uncollected refuse, blocked drainage channels, and worsening environmental conditions despite billions of naira allocated to environmental management.

“The fact that you now have to ‘direct an immediate scale-up’ after waste has already overwhelmed communities is an utter failure of leadership,” Rhodes-Vivour said.

Responding, Commissioner Wahab reminded Rhodes-Vivour of the humongous task Lagos faces in terms of waste collection.

He said Lagos generates about 13,000 tonnes of waste every day, adding that in May alone, LAWMA and PSP operators evacuated about 418,500 tonnes of waste across the state, averaging about 13,200 tonnes daily.

“That is not a small operation. It involves hundreds of PSP operators, public waste teams, transfer and disposal operations, street sweepers, enforcement teams, customer service staff, drivers, loaders, supervisors and monitoring officers working across a very large and difficult city,” Wahab said.

The commissioner further explained LAWMA’s efforts towards waste disposal, which he said had been scaled up, especially in blackspot areas.

Pushing back, Rhodes-Vivour demanded impact and not explanation, just as he accused Wahab of bigotry and demanded his resignation.

He said, “Mr. Wahab, Impact is felt, not explained in 1,578 words. Your plastic policy has failed. Your environmental policy, if one truly exists, has been ineffective. Your waste management policy has been an unmitigated disaster. The only area where you have consistently delivered is the demolition of the hard-earned properties and livelihoods of ordinary citizens. Not to mention your Bigotry and Gaslighting. You have lost the moral authority to remain in office. You should resign. Today.”

Displeased that Rhodes-Vivour called him a bigot, Wahab revealed that he had no interest in descending into the “mudslinging and distractions you appear to thrive on”, but is focused on supporting the efforts of the Lagos State Government to ensure the safety, well-being, and prosperity of Lagosians

He, however, called Rhodes-Vivour by his Igbo name, Chinedu, which was used against him during the 2023 election. Wahab then shared Rhodes-Vivour’s past social media posts, which promoted the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and also the defunct Biafra Republic

He concluded, “As for the labels and accusations, I will leave others to judge them on their merits. I have no intention of engaging in personal attacks or trading insults with a political nomad driven by ignorance and needless hatred. I wish you all the best.”

 

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Lagos Government Orders Immediate Evacuation Of Waste Across The State

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed an immediate scale-up of waste evacuation operations across the state following growing concerns over the accumulation of refuse in some areas.

The state government, in a statement issued on Thursday by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gbenga Akosile, acknowledged residents’ complaints and assured Lagosians that efforts were underway to restore normal waste collection services.

According to the statement, relevant agencies and service providers have been mobilised to work round the clock to clear waste backlogs and improve sanitation across affected communities.

“The Lagos State Government acknowledges the concerns of residents regarding the recent accumulation of refuse in some parts of the state and wishes to assure Lagosians that the situation is receiving the highest level of attention from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the entire machinery of government.

“We are not oblivious to the inconveniences and concerns occasioned by the situation. Lagosians deserve a clean, healthy and environmentally sustainable city, and this administration remains fully committed to delivering on that obligation,” the statement read.

Akosile said additional resources had been deployed to support waste evacuation efforts, while strategic interventions were being implemented to strengthen operational efficiency and improve waste collection and disposal.

He added that the governor had directed the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Lagos Waste Management Authority, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency and other relevant agencies to intensify their operations.

The government noted that Lagos generates about 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, making it one of the highest waste-producing cities on the African continent.

While describing the current situation as temporary, the government said substantial progress had already been recorded in some locations and promised further improvements in the coming days.

“We wish to reassure residents that this challenge is temporary. Indeed, substantial progress is already being recorded in several locations, and more improvements will become visible across the state in the days ahead,” he added.

The government also urged residents, market associations, businesses and community leaders to support sanitation efforts by disposing of waste properly and avoiding activities that obstruct drainage channels, roads and designated waste collection points.

It reiterated its commitment to maintaining environmental standards and protecting public health across the state.

  

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Rite Foods Takes Environmental Education To Schools In Lagos, Ogun States

As part of activities marking the 2026 World Environment Day, Rite Foods Limited has engaged students in practical environmental education, tree-planting, and recycling awareness programmes across Lagos and Ogun states, reaffirming its commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action.

The firm brought together students, teachers, and community stakeholders at Opebi Senior Grammar School, Ikeja, Lagos, and Moslem Primary School, Ososa, Ogun State, to promote environmental responsibility, sustainable living, and circular economic practices among young people.

The company announced this in a statement on Saturday.

According to the statement, the initiative featured interactive sustainability sessions with students and teachers focused on proper waste management, recycling, water conservation, and environmental stewardship.

“Students also participated in tree-planting exercises designed to encourage afforestation and carbon dioxide capture and instil a lifelong commitment to protecting the environment,” the statement read in part.

Speaking during the programme tagged ‘Plant the Future’, the Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Rite Foods Limited, Ekuma Eze, stressed the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge and values needed to address environmental challenges.

According to him, climate change remains one of the most pressing issues facing the world today, making it imperative for organisations, communities, and individuals to take deliberate actions that safeguard the environment.

“Environmental sustainability begins with awareness and responsibility. By catching them young and teaching them the importance of protecting the environment, they become ambassadors of positive change within their homes and communities. We must therefore take intentional steps today to ensure we leave a healthier planet for future generations,” said Eze, who further highlighted Rite Foods’ broader sustainability agenda, including its recently launched Waste-Is-Naira initiative in partnership with RecyclePoints.

He explained that the programme enables residents to exchange used plastic bottles and beverage cans for cash while promoting responsible waste management and advancing circular economy practices.

Also speaking at the event, the Health, Safety and Environment Manager at Rite Foods Limited, Timilehin Ajibola, emphasised the strong link between environmental sustainability, community development, and long-term business growth.

“Our goal is to remain in business for the next century and beyond. Achieving that requires collective responsibility in protecting our environment through simple actions such as conserving water, disposing of waste properly, and planting trees that will benefit future generations. A healthy environment creates healthier communities, supports learning, and contributes to sustainable economic development,” he stated.

Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Executive Officer of Kazih Kits Limited, Dr Chinedu Azih, explained that recycling offers practical solutions to environmental challenges while unlocking opportunities for social impact.

“Many of the materials people discard every day still have economic and social value. Through innovation and recycling, plastic bottles and product wrappers can be transformed into school bags and other useful products that support education, reduce pollution, and contribute to a more sustainable future,” she said.

Commending the initiative, the head teacher of Moslem Primary School, Ososa, Lawal Oladele, described environmental education as vital to raising responsible future citizens.

  

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Extreme Heat: Lagos Begins 500-Tree Planting Campaign

The Lagos State Government has unveiled a new environmental initiative aimed at combating climate change and rising urban temperatures, committing to planting 500 trees across the state while joining a global campaign to address extreme heat in cities.

The announcement was made last Friday at the 2026 World Environment Day celebration in Alausa, where officials warned that rapid urbanisation and climate change were increasing heat-related risks for residents.

Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Olalekan Rotimi-Akodu, called for greater adoption of nature-based solutions, including tree planting, ecosystem restoration and urban greening, to strengthen climate resilience.

He said forests, wetlands and green spaces remain among the most effective tools for mitigating climate impacts and improving the quality of life in rapidly growing cities.

“Rapid urbanisation, population growth, traffic congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, and the replacement of natural landscapes with concrete and asphalt surfaces are all contributing to rising temperatures and the Urban Heat Island effect in cities,” Akodu said.

He noted that Lagos, as Africa’s most populous city, faces growing threats from extreme heat, flooding and sea-level rise, warning that higher temperatures could affect public health, productivity, air quality and energy demand.

As part of its response, the state formally aligned with the United Nations Environment Programme’s global “50 Cities at 50°C” campaign, which encourages cities to develop and share solutions to rising urban temperatures.

According to Akodu, Lagos will participate under the theme, “50 Cities at 50°C: Lagos Rising Against the Urban Heat Island.”

The state also launched a new environmental stewardship programme, tagged “Me and My Tree,” under which 500 trees will be planted across Lagos.

Residents participating in the initiative will receive free tree seedlings and be encouraged to nurture them to maturity.

To encourage participation, the government announced a cash prize of N2.5m for the owner of the best-performing tree after one year.

Akodu said the initiative builds on Lagos’ long-running urban greening programme, which has resulted in the planting of more than seven million trees since 2009 through partnerships involving schools, communities, businesses and government agencies.

He added that the state was also pursuing climate resilience through investments in mass transit infrastructure, including rail, bus and water transportation systems designed to reduce emissions and traffic congestion.

“Lagos is not waiting for the future; Lagos is preparing for it, adapting to it, and rising above it,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Mahamood Adegbite, said World Environment Day serves as a reminder of the need to tackle climate change and protect future generations.

He noted that rising temperatures were already placing pressure on public health systems and increasing vulnerability among children, the elderly and other at-risk groups.

“Our megacity with a population exceeding 20 million people is increasingly experiencing the effects of rising urban temperatures,” Adegbite said.

The event brought together government officials, environmental experts, development partners, civil society groups, students and private-sector stakeholders to discuss strategies for improving environmental sustainability and climate resilience across the state.

 

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LAWMA Condemns Attack On Its Officers Along Lagos-Badagry Expressway

The Lagos Waste Management Authority has condemned the attack on its enforcement officers by suspected illegal waste operators during an environmental monitoring exercise along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway.

The Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, issued the condemnation in a statement released on Monday in Lagos by the agency’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Mukaila Sanusi.

Gbadegesin described the incident as unacceptable and warned against any attempt to obstruct the agency’s lawful enforcement activities.

According to him, the attack occurred on Sunday at Mazamaza Bus Stop, shortly after FESTAC First Gate, during a routine environmental monitoring and compliance operation.

He said the enforcement team encountered individuals allegedly engaged in illegal waste disposal while carrying out their statutory duties.

“The enforcement team was attacked by suspected illegal waste operators and cart pushers who attempted to obstruct the exercise,” he said.

“Our enforcement officers were carrying out their statutory responsibilities when they were attacked by individuals seeking to frustrate government efforts,” he added.

Gbadegesin described the incident as a direct affront to government efforts to safeguard public health and maintain environmental sanitation across the state.

He stressed that such actions would not deter the agency from fulfilling its mandate of ensuring a clean and healthy environment.

The managing director noted that assaults on enforcement personnel constitute a serious offence under the law, adding that anyone found involved in the attack or obstruction would face prosecution.

He said efforts were underway to identify and apprehend all those connected to the incident.

Gbadegesin added that despite the attack, the enforcement team continued its monitoring operation along key corridors, including Iyana Iba, Okokomaiko, and Agbara.

He explained that the exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to curb indiscriminate waste disposal and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

According to him, illegal cart-pushing activities and unauthorised dumpsites remain major challenges to effective waste management in Lagos State, posing significant risks to public health and environmental safety.

He urged residents and businesses to patronise only approved waste service providers and dispose of waste through authorised channels.

Gbadegesin also called on the public to support government efforts by complying with environmental laws and reporting illegal waste disposal activities.

He reaffirmed LAWMA’s commitment to sustained enforcement across the state, warning that offenders would continue to face sanctions.

  

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Ebola: LAWMA Issues Precautionary Advisory To Health Facilities In Lagos

The Lagos Waste Management Authority has issued a precautionary advisory to health facilities and medical waste handlers across the state following reports of an Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in parts of East Africa.

LAWMA’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the advisory was aimed at ensuring health facilities, medical waste handlers, transporters and treatment operators remain vigilant and comply with infection prevention and medical waste management protocols.

According to a statement shared by the Lagos State Government on Saturday, Gbadegesin stressed that there were currently no confirmed cases of Ebola in Lagos State or anywhere in Nigeria.

“Although there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola in Lagos or Nigeria, preparedness remains one of the most effective tools in disease prevention.

“We are therefore urging all health facilities and licensed medical waste operators to strengthen infection prevention and control measures and ensure strict compliance with approved medical waste management protocols,” he said.

He said medical waste management plays a critical role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases and protecting healthcare workers, patients, waste handlers and the wider public.

The advisory directed health facilities to reinforce infection prevention measures, including proper hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, safe handling of medical specimens, environmental decontamination and strict segregation of infectious waste at source.

LAWMA also urged medical waste handlers and transporters to adhere to approved collection, transportation, treatment and disposal procedures for infectious waste and ensure the consistent use of protective equipment during operations.

Gbadegesin said the authority would continue monitoring compliance and engaging stakeholders to maintain high standards of medical waste management across the state.

He urged health institutions to review their infection prevention protocols and promptly report any suspected public health concerns through appropriate channels.

The LAWMA boss added that Lagos State remained on high alert and would continue to sustain surveillance, preparedness and response measures to safeguard public health.

  

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Lagos Warns Consumers Against Lead-contaminated Products

The Lagos State Government has warned consumers to be vigilant against hazardous products, particularly those containing lead, as part of efforts to safeguard public health.

The General Manager of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), Afolabi Solebo, gave the warning during a meeting with the Executive Director of Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev) Nigeria, Leslie Adogame, on Thursday in Lagos.

Mr Solebo said the state government remained committed to protecting consumers’ rights and ensuring that products in the marketplace meet established safety standards.

He emphasised the need for increased awareness of the dangers of lead exposure, noting that items such as paints, batteries, cosmetics and other consumables could pose serious health risks if contaminated.

According to him, LASCOPA is ready to work closely with SRADev Nigeria to advance environmental health and consumer protection objectives across the state.

He stated, “Our aim is to foster collaboration and strengthen the partnership between both organisations towards the elimination of lead in paints, batteries, cosmetics, and consumable products.

“It also aims to safeguard consumers from exposure to substandard and hazardous products associated with lead contamination and other environmental health risks.

“The Lagos State Government will continue to prioritise consumer safety by strengthening regulatory frameworks and collaborating with relevant stakeholders to eliminate hazardous products from circulation.”

Earlier, Mr Adogame, also the programme manager for the Lead Exposure Elimination Project, said the visit was aimed at fostering collaboration and strengthening partnerships toward eliminating lead in consumer products and reducing environmental health risks.

He said both organisations would focus on strategies such as consumer education, public advocacy, research and enforcement initiatives to curb the circulation of substandard and unsafe goods.

Mr Adogame noted that the partnership would enhance public awareness and promote safer consumption practices among residents.

The collaboration is expected to improve regulatory enforcement and reduce exposure to harmful substances in Lagos State. 

(NAN)

 

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Waste-To-Wealth: How LAWMA Is Converting Old Tyres Into Household Tables

The Lagos Waste Management Authority has achieved a milestone in environmental innovation and waste-to-wealth initiatives, as Team Zero Trace, a group of intern students at the agency’s academy, converted abandoned tyres retrieved from the Olusosun Landfill into creatively crafted decorative tables for household use.

The Director of Public Affairs at LAWMA, Mukaila Sanusi, disclosed this in a statement.

Speaking during the presentation of the project in his office, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, commended the ingenuity and creativity demonstrated by the interns, describing the initiative as a practical reflection of the authority’s vision of transforming waste management into a sustainable circular economy system.

Gbadegesin explained that the initiative further reinforces the message that waste materials are valuable resources that can be repurposed through innovation, technical knowledge and creative thinking.

“What these young interns have achieved is highly commendable and inspiring. Transforming abandoned tyres into a beautiful decorative table clearly demonstrates that waste can become wealth when creativity meets knowledge. This is exactly the kind of innovation we seek to encourage through the LAWMA academy,” Gbadegesin said.

He stated that LAWMA remained committed to empowering young people with practical environmental and entrepreneurial skills capable of promoting sustainability while creating economic opportunities.

The LAWMA boss added that environmental sustainability extends beyond waste evacuation to include innovation, resource recovery, recycling and the development of practical solutions from materials often considered useless.

Gbadegesin encouraged young Nigerians to embrace recycling and environmental innovation, stressing that the circular economy offered enormous opportunities for job creation, economic growth and cleaner communities.

He reaffirmed LAWMA’s commitment to strengthening environmental education, practical learning and waste-to-wealth initiatives through the LAWMA academy.

Speaking on behalf of the team, the Class Representative, Sadiq Boluwatife, expressed appreciation to the management of LAWMA and coordinators of the academy for providing the students with the opportunity to acquire practical knowledge and hands-on experience in sustainable waste management practices.

Boluwatife noted that the project had expanded their understanding of environmental sustainability and inspired them to view waste materials from a different perspective.

According to her, the experience gained during the training had strengthened their passion for innovation, creativity and environmental responsibility while motivating them to contribute meaningfully towards building a cleaner and greener Lagos.

The handcrafted table, produced from two discarded tyres, features neatly designed storage shelves beneath, combining functionality with aesthetic appeal. The project highlights the growing potential of recycling and upcycling in converting waste materials into valuable household products while promoting sustainable environmental practices in Lagos State.

Members of Team Zero Trace include Boluwatife (Class Representative), Iyiomo Oluwaseun, Ogunsami Elizabeth, Mustapha Aisha, Adewoyin Adedoyin, Ogunfowora Yewande, Hundeyin Sunday and Ibraheem Tolulope.

  

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Lagos To Generate 5000 Jobs From New Waste Recycling Project - LAWMA Boss

The Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, says new material recovery facilities being developed by the Lagos State Government will create about 5,000 jobs.

Gbadegesin disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria while monitoring the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Apapa on Saturday.

He said the facilities would provide safer and more organised working conditions for people engaged in informal waste-picking activities, while strengthening recycling and resource recovery efforts in the state.

“The material recovery facilities will create about 5,000 jobs. Many of those currently working as scavengers will have opportunities to work in a cleaner environment and even earn more income,” he said.

According to him, the facilities are part of ongoing reforms aimed at modernising waste management operations and reducing reliance on traditional landfill sites.

Gbadegesin said the state was gradually winding down operations at the Olusosun and Solous landfill sites, while waste management firm Zoomlion Nigeria had commenced construction of transfer loading stations at the locations.

He explained that upon completion, Private Sector Participants would dispose of waste at the transfer stations instead of directly at landfill sites.

“Once the transfer loading stations are completed, waste will no longer be dumped directly at the landfill sites.

“The sites will be closed, covered and eventually repurposed for other uses.

“The waste will be transported to material recovery facilities where recyclable and valuable materials will be separated and processed,” he said.

Gbadegesin acknowledged challenges posed by the rainy season, noting that access roads within landfill sites often become difficult to navigate during periods of heavy rainfall.

He explained that the roads were temporary earth roads that frequently became waterlogged and slippery, causing waste collection trucks to get stuck.

However, he said the state government had begun plans to upgrade the road network within the landfill sites to rigid pavement to ensure all-year accessibility.

“The state government has a plan to convert the road network within the dump sites to rigid pavement.

“This will transform operations, particularly at the Olusosun and other landfill sites, which are most affected during the rainy season,” he said.

Gbadegesin also noted improved public participation in the monthly environmental sanitation exercise since its reintroduction.

“The positive aspect is that there is more awareness today.

“As we move around communities, we see people already cleaning the frontages of their homes even before officials arrive.

“That is encouraging. We need to do more, but as we continue, we expect to see greater compliance from residents,” he said.

He added that LAWMA was sustaining the gains through advocacy and enforcement, with environmental health officers issuing notices to residents whose premises and surroundings remained unclean.

(NAN)

  

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We Will Continue To Engage Lagos Residents On The Need For A Cleaner Environment - Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab

The Lagos State Government, on Saturday, said it will continue to step up advocacy and engagement on environmental sanitation to ensure a cleaner environment across the state while urging residents to dispose of their wastes properly.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab said this in an interview at Shasa-Orisumbare Alimosho Local Government after touring Dopemu Bridge in Akowonjo area and Apapa Local Government Area.

He also expressed confidence that the exercise would get better with time as Lagosians comply more as they get used to the monthly environmental Sanitation which normally takes place between 6:30am and 8:30am.

Speaking on the PSP operators in the state especially in the Alimosho area, the Commissioner, who was with the First Lady, Doctor Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said the Lagos Waste Management Authority would continue to engage with them and take necessary actions.

The Wife of the Governor also participated actively in Alimosho in cleaning of the environment with school children and waste management officials among others dignitaries present to participate while the Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, led the team at Apapa to monitor and participate in the environment sanitation exercise including ensuring compliance.

The reintroduction of the monthly Saturday environmental sanitation in Lagos has sparked mixed reactions, highlighting ongoing issues regarding waste management, enforcement, and civic compliance. While the government pushes for a cleaner environment, residents and officials face several distinct challenges.

The exercise takes place on the last Saturday of every month between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Unlike the restrictions seen in the past, there are no total vehicular bans during these hours, though major transport unions voluntarily minimize their operations, and controlled movement is encouraged.

• While many residents embrace the cleaning tradition, others do not actively clean and simply stay indoors until the movement period, hence defeating the purpose of community hygiene.

  

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Eid-el-Kabir: Lagos Warns Against Sale Of Rams On Highways

The Lagos State Government has warned traders against displaying and selling rams and other livestock on highways and road medians during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

The spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adeshina, disclosed in a statement on Monday that the Ministry’s Commissioner, Wahab, gave the warning during a media parley held in his office in Alausa ahead of the festival.

The statement noted that Wahab reminded residents that the law prohibiting street trading remained in force across the state.

“While it is not unusual for traders to take advantage of the season to market and sell livestock animals, it must be done without defacing the state or compromising the wellness and well-being of Lagosians,” he said.

He also appealed to Muslim faithfuls to properly dispose of waste generated during the celebrations by bagging them appropriately and depositing them at designated points for evacuation by the Lagos Waste Management Authority.

“The state government remains responsible for enlightening residents on the need to demonstrate utmost love for their environment even as they celebrate the Eid,” Wahab said.

He assured Lagosians that the ministry and LAWMA were still committed to ensuring that refuse heaps were eliminated across the state.

According to him, environmental sustainability and socio-economic wellbeing can only be achieved when residents maintain proper sanitation practices.

The commissioner stressed that the government would not tolerate the display and sale of rams or other livestock on major highways, road medians, lay-bys, gardens, and parks.

He also warned against other environmental infractions such as erecting illegal stalls, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, and maintaining unsanitary surroundings.

“Let me restate government’s resolve to firmly apply regulatory and enforcement measures against contraventions of environmental laws and regulations. I enjoin residents to voluntarily comply with the extant state environmental laws,” Wahab added.

He urged residents to make use of parks, gardens, and relaxation centres across the state during the celebrations while avoiding activities capable of negatively affecting the environment.

He concluded by urging residents to maintain a cleaner environment during the festive period, stressing that the state government remained committed to environmental sustainability and public wellbeing.

  

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Lagos Prosecutes 150 For Open Defecation, 6,789 For Failure To Use Pedestrian Bridge

The Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has revealed that the state is making significant progress in tackling open defecation, with 150 individuals arrested for the offence in 2025, adding that the arrests included squatters displaced from pedestrian bridges, which were subsequently cleaned and restored.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, revealed this on Sunday at the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing, where he reeled out the achievements of the ministry in the last one year to commemorate the 7th year anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
He said that to further combat the open defecation scourge in the state, the Ministry is currently building 20 Toilet facility consisting of 200 Toilet Unit and 40 Bathrooms with urinals for male.

The facility, which he said is about 70% completed, include provisions for People with Disability (PWD) and will be solar powered with an on-site treatment plant.
According to him, “The Lagos State Government currently has over 1710 public toilets across parks, markets and residential areas in 20 LGAs and 37 LCDA.”
He further disclosed that the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) in 2025, served 192 Environmental Abatement Notices and arrested 6,789 individuals for unlawful highway crossing and failure to use pedestrian bridges, while another 3,786 persons, including illegal traders, street hawkers, environmental offenders, and cart pushers, were apprehended during enforcement operations.

He added that all those arrested were prosecuted in line with the Lagos State Environmental Law.
He noted that beyond enforcement, the ministry held 170 stakeholder meetings with communities to address environmental infractions and improve public compliance with sanitation regulations.
Similarly, he disclosed that in an attempt to ensure that Lagos State remains a flood free city, from Year 2025 till date, a total number of 18 Primary Channels with approximately 76km length were approved and executed under maintenance Dredging of Primary Channels programme.

The Drainage Enforcement and Compliance
Department has also identified 2,218 contravening structures in various communities in the state and successfully removed 1544 of these contravening structures from drainage alignment with a success rate calculated to 70%.
He said: “In the last one year, the present administration has awarded the construction of over 100km of secondary collector drain and 30km of primary channels between April 2025 and April 2026. There are also on-going drainage channels at various levels of completion.”
The Commissioner further revealed that the return of the statewide observance of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise remains the key highlight of the administration’s one year scorecard, stressing that without a clean environment living becomes a challenge.

He called on residents to turn out for the next sanitation exercise slated for May 30, saying it would offer an opportunity to clean the environment following the Eid celebrations.
He added that during the period under review, Lagos State got ranked as the top-performing State in Nigeria for Climate Governance for the second year running.
Giving update on the enforcement of the total ban on the distribution, sales and usage of Styrofoam, Wahab said that the ministry confiscated about 5 million worth of banned Styrofoam and SUPs from warehouses and malls, while removing a total of 137,530.94 kg of PET (plastic) from the environment in 2025.

“The recycling initiative of the department recorded a positive trend based on data obtained from collection centers indicating a significant improvement in waste recovery efforts. Total Recyclables Collected for the year is 2025 185,850.72 kg,” he said.
He said: “As part of the Ministry’s continuous wetland monitoring and compliance activities, some developers were found carrying out unauthorized reclamation and illegal construction on wetland areas and were subsequently served statutory notices, given 48 hours to comply.
“Where compliance was not achieved, enforcement actions were carried out, leading to the sealing of nine (9) facilities involved in illegal wetland encroachment across Ogombo, Lekki Phase II, Itoikin-Epe axis, and Majidun, Ikorodu, thereby preventing further degradation of environmentally sensitive wetland ecosystems.”

The commissioner, however, noted that as part of the tradition of planting trees on the annual designated day for Tree planting and on other ceremonial day, the ministry recorded a total of 16, 966 trees planted while 13,572 trees were successfully established. “These trees are spread all over the five Divisions of Lagos State across public and private schools, road setbacks, and private and government residential estates and some public facilities. Breakdown shows 2779 were planted in Ikeja, 490 in Badagry, 1,601 in Ikorodu, 3,625 in Lagos Island and 8,471 in Epe,” he added.

  

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Officials Detect Toxic Chemicals In Ikeja Industrial Waste

The Lagos State Government has uncovered dangerous levels of toxic chemicals in industrial waste discharged within the Ikeja industrial corridor, with official geochemical investigations detecting nitrate, ammonium, copper and zinc concentrations exceeding World Health Organisation safety limits.

The findings, contained in the 2026 ministerial briefing of the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, presented on Monday, reveal that the state has begun mapping contamination hotspots and using the data to sanction industrial operators linked to the pollution.

According to the report, the ministry carried out extensive soil, sediment and water sampling across Ikeja, one of Lagos’ oldest and largest manufacturing districts, to trace industrial contaminants and assess environmental degradation caused by decades of industrial activity.

The ministry said the investigation produced geospatial distribution maps identifying concentrations of contaminants associated with industrial discharge, chemical processing, metal fabrication and manufacturing operations.

Among the substances detected was nitrate, a contaminant linked to severe health complications, including methemoglobinemia, commonly known as “blue baby syndrome,” which affects infants through contaminated drinking water.

Ammonium, another pollutant identified in the study, was described as highly toxic to aquatic ecosystems and an indicator of untreated sewage or industrial discharge entering water systems.

The report also identified elevated copper levels, which can cause liver damage when present in groundwater consumed by humans, alongside zinc contamination capable of disrupting soil quality and aquatic life.

Although the ministry confirmed that contaminant levels exceeded WHO safety thresholds, the report did not disclose the exact concentration levels, the duration of the contamination or the specific companies responsible.

Officials, however, said the contamination maps are being used as evidence to impose non-compliance charges on operators connected to the polluted discharge.

The ministry did not reveal the names of affected companies, the value of penalties issued or whether any payments have been made.

The investigation forms part of a wider environmental monitoring programme aimed at building what officials described as a state-wide georeferenced environmental protection database capable of tracking pollution sources across Lagos.

Beyond Ikeja, the ministry disclosed that groundwater contamination monitoring has also been intensified around landfill sites in communities including Ogudu, Alapere, Oworonsoki, Ikorodu and Ojo, where dedicated boreholes have been installed to continuously monitor water quality and WHO compliance levels.

The government also said it is expanding geological and environmental mapping operations across the Lagos Continental Shelf District to support future infrastructure planning and environmental mitigation.

In addition, enforcement operations targeting illegal dredging, sand overloading and unauthorised land reclamation activities are being conducted jointly with the Lagos Waste Management Authority along the Ajah-Ibeju Lekki-Epe corridor.

As part of broader regulatory reforms, the ministry said it is developing policies that would require mandatory geological investigations before major construction projects, including roads, pipelines and buildings, can commence in the state.

Despite the scale of the contamination findings, several key details remain undisclosed, including which residential communities may be directly affected by polluted water channels and whether any enforcement action beyond financial penalties has been initiated against offending operators.

The report also does not indicate whether public health assessments have been carried out in areas surrounding the identified contamination zones.

Still, the findings provide one of the clearest official acknowledgements yet of long-term industrial pollution risks within Lagos’ manufacturing belt and signal a shift toward more data-driven environmental enforcement by the state government.

  

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Lagos Seals Off Domina's Pizza Outlet In Lekki Over Environmental Infractions

The Lagos State Government says it has sealed off Domino’s Pizza, located at No. 38B, Freedom Way, Lekki, Eti-Osa, over the indiscriminate discharge of untreated sewage into the environment.

The state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday.

According to him, the action followed a complaint from a resident and a subsequent investigation carried out by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office.

“Following a complaint received from a concerned resident and a thorough investigation, the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), on Wednesday 12th May, 2026, sealed-off Dominion Pizza at No. 38B, Freedom Way, Lekki, Eti-Osa, Lagos, over indiscriminate discharge of untreated sewage from its chamber due to an overfilled septic tank into the environment and public drains, causing environmental nuisance, offensive odour, as well as endangering human health,” the statement read.

Wahab said the discharge created environmental nuisance, emitted offensive odour, and posed health risks to residents in the area.

The commissioner warned that residents and property managers must adhere strictly to proper wastewater management practices, adding that violators would face sanctions and possible prosecution under existing environmental laws.

“@followlasg reiterates the need for residents and property managers to adhere strictly to proper wastewater management practices, noting that any individual or organisation found contravening environmental regulations will be meted with appropriate sanctions and possible prosecution in accordance with the enabling laws,” he stated.

He also provided contact numbers for reporting environmental violations in the state as 08022022397 and 07025332163.

The action aligns with ongoing enforcement drives by the Lagos State Government against illegal sewage discharge, particularly in high-density residential and commercial areas like Lekki.

Similar operations have recently targeted estates, event centres, and other restaurants in the area.

  

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Oshodi Residents Cry Out Over Three Months Growing Heaps Of Refuse Along Streets

Residents and business owners in the Oshodi area of Lagos State have decried the growing heaps of refuse littering major roads and inner streets in the community, accusing the Lagos Waste Management Authority of failing to evacuate waste for months.

During a visit to the area on Monday, PUNCH Metro observed large piles of refuse dumped outside residential buildings and business premises.

The stretch of Oshodi Road linking Mafoluku Road was dotted with overflowing waste heaps, while other affected areas included Daodu Street, Oluwole Street, Rufai Street, Yusuf Street, Afariogun Street and several adjoining roads like Adewale Crescent within the community.

A resident, Kemi Balogun, said repeated complaints by residents had yielded no result.

“The refuse has been here for over three months, and it keeps increasing every day. We can barely stay outside our building to get some fresh air because of the smell. Before you came, we were already discussing posting videos online so that maybe the authorities would feel embarrassed enough to act,” she said.

Another resident, Korede Salau, accused LAWMA of failing to provide services despite residents paying their monthly waste bills regularly.

“We pay our LAWMA dues regularly, yet the refuse is not evacuated. As you can see, heaps of waste are scattered across the streets. It is an eyesore, and the government needs to act quickly because the entire environment has become uncomfortable,” he said.

A business owner, Adetoun Fasasi, said the situation had begun affecting patronage.

“Customers complain whenever they come here, and some leave almost immediately because of the smell. Before now, we tried alternative means of disposing of waste through cart pushers, but we can no longer find them,” she lamented.

The worsening situation has also heightened fears of a possible disease outbreak, as residents described the stench emanating from the refuse dumps as unbearable.

Another resident, Wasiu Adebayo, described the situation as an embarrassment to people living in the area.

“This is not the first time this has happened. A few months ago, there was public outrage over waste disposal problems across Lagos, and now it has returned again. Everywhere is dirty, and nobody seems to care. We are exposed to the risk of disease outbreaks because of the offensive odour and unhygienic environment created by these refuse heaps. Flies and mosquitoes have taken over the area, and whenever it rains, dirty water flows into the streets and compounds. We are the ones suffering this every day,” he lamented.

A food vendor, who spoke on condition of anonymity for personal reasons, said the refuse heaps had become a health concern for residents and business owners alike.

“We cook and sell food around here, yet refuse is piled almost beside us. The smell becomes worse in the afternoon when the sun is hot. We are worried about diseases because children also pass through these roads every day,” she said.

Some residents also expressed fears that the mounting refuse could block drainage channels ahead of the rainy season and worsen flooding in the area. They called on the Lagos State Government to intervene urgently.

  

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