Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, alongside other relevant agencies, to intensify waste evacuation efforts across the state following the growing accumulation of refuse on major roads and within residential communities.
The governor also ordered waste management agencies and service providers to operate around the clock to clear the backlog of waste that has piled up on road medians, street corners, highways, and suburban areas across Lagos.
The directive comes amid mounting concerns over the deteriorating state of waste management in Nigeria’s commercial capital, where heaps of domestic and industrial waste have become increasingly visible across both mainland and island corridors.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, the state government acknowledged residents’ concerns over the worsening refuse situation and assured them that urgent measures were underway.
According to the statement, the administration recognises the anxiety caused by the recent accumulation of waste in several parts of the state and remains committed to ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for residents.
Akosile noted that Governor Sanwo-Olu had approved an immediate expansion of waste evacuation operations, with agencies and service providers mandated to work continuously until normal sanitation conditions are restored.
He disclosed that additional resources have been deployed to support ongoing cleanup efforts, while strategic measures are being implemented to improve waste collection, disposal systems, and operational efficiency in affected locations.
The governor further directed key environmental agencies, including the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, to intensify their activities and ensure a swift resolution of the situation.
Describing the challenge as temporary, Akosile said noticeable progress had already been recorded in several parts of the state and appealed to residents to remain patient while government interventions continue.
Waste management concerns in Lagos have persisted since the beginning of the year, with reports of overflowing refuse dumps emerging in several communities shortly after the Yuletide season. Many residents have blamed the situation on irregular waste collection services by some Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators engaged by LAWMA.
The problem has since worsened, prompting some residents to dispose of waste on road medians and open spaces while accusing service providers of failing to meet their obligations.
In a bid to strengthen environmental cleanliness, the Lagos State Government in April reintroduced the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, reviving the statewide cleanup initiative that had been suspended for a decade following a court ruling in 2016.
