Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered an immediate intensification of waste evacuation efforts across the state following complaints from residents about growing heaps of refuse in several communities. The directive comes amid concerns over sanitation and public health as waste continues to accumulate in some parts of Nigeria's commercial capital.
Government Response to Waste Crisis
In a statement issued on Thursday by the governor's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gbenga Akosile, the Lagos State Government acknowledged the situation and assured residents that urgent steps were being taken to restore normal waste collection operations. Generating an estimated 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, Lagos faces immense infrastructural pressure to keep up with domestic and commercial refuse disposal.
The statement said waste management agencies and service providers have been mobilised to work around the clock to clear the backlog and improve environmental conditions in affected areas.
“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.
Deployment of Additional Resources
Akosile said the state government had deployed additional resources to boost waste evacuation while implementing strategic measures aimed at improving collection and disposal efficiency across Lagos. He added that Governor Sanwo-Olu had directed the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and other relevant agencies to step up operations immediately.
Alongside emergency evacuations, the Lagos State Government is urging residents, traders, and community leaders to stop dumping refuse in open drains and road medians. Lagos, which is home to more than 20 million people, generates an estimated 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, making it one of Africa’s largest waste-producing cities. Managing such volumes has remained a major challenge for environmental authorities despite ongoing reforms in the sector.
Temporary Challenge, Visible Progress
The government described the current waste build-up as a temporary challenge and said visible progress had already been made in several locations across the state. “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,” Akosile said.
The state government also called on residents, market associations, businesses, and community leaders to support ongoing sanitation efforts by disposing of waste responsibly and avoiding activities that block roads, drainage systems, and designated waste collection points. It reiterated its commitment to maintaining a cleaner environment, protecting public health, and ensuring sustainable waste management across Lagos.
