Waste Crisis: Lagos Rallies Local Councils for Monthly Sanitation Drive
The Lagos State Government has stepped up efforts to revive the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, holding a strategic meeting with all 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas to ensure its success.
The meeting follows the recent relaunch of the sanitation exercise by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, aimed at encouraging residents to take responsibility for keeping their environment clean.
Speaking at the meeting in Alausa, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stressed that collaboration between the state and local councils is key to achieving a cleaner, flood-free Lagos.
He pointed out that the state generates between 13,000 and 14,000 tonnes of waste daily, describing it as a growing challenge that requires urgent and collective action.
Wahab urged councils to help restore a culture of regular sanitation, noting that markets across Lagos already observe weekly clean-up exercises every Thursday morning.
“If markets can do it consistently, then it should be easier for households to adopt the same culture,” he said.
He also explained that Lagos is shifting from a simple waste disposal system to a more sustainable approach where waste is treated as a resource, adding that stronger collaboration is needed to reduce pressure on landfills.
To ensure compliance, government officials, including EXCO members and council chairmen, will be deployed to monitor the exercise across the state during designated sanitation days at the end of each month.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bolaji Roberts, also called on council leaders to mobilise residents and ensure grassroots participation.
Similarly, lawmakers and council chairmen pledged their support, with Conference 57 Chairman, Sesan Olowa, assuring the state government of full cooperation.
With rising waste concerns in Africa’s largest city, the renewed push signals a more coordinated effort to keep Lagos clean and sustainable.
