Mixed Reactions Trail Lagos Government’s Recruitment of 1,400 Environmental Officers

By Emmanuel Daniji
The Lagos State Government’s recent approval for the recruitment of 1,400 additional officers into the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC/KAI) has sparked mixed reactions among residents across the state.
The decision, approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the State Executive Council, is aimed at strengthening environmental enforcement and supporting the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources in maintaining a cleaner, healthier, and more orderly Lagos.
According to the Ministry, the new recruits will enhance the state’s capacity to monitor compliance with environmental laws, prevent indiscriminate dumping of waste, discourage street trading in restricted areas, and ensure proper waste management practices in all parts of Lagos.
The initiative, part of the administration’s broader commitment to a #CleanerLagos and #GreaterLagos, underscores the government’s focus on public health, safety, and environmental sustainability.
However, following the announcement, the development drew a wave of diverse reactions from Lagosians online — reflecting both commendation and criticism.
While some residents praised the Governor for creating new job opportunities and strengthening environmental management, others expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as “a lack of transparency” in the recruitment process and “unequal access” to government employment opportunities.
Prince Adeniyi Adeleke Adekunle, in a comment that resonated with many, lamented:
“It’s so annoying that most of these appointments are made without public awareness. We, loyal party members, never got any information about employment except on pages of newspapers. What is the reward for our loyalty, commitment, and passion for the party? Poor man pikin dey suffer for this country.”
On the other hand, Dare Adekoya commended the initiative but urged the government to consider prioritizing local applicants.
“This is a laudable and welcome development. May God continue to bless and guide our amiable leaders. However, it is noteworthy to plead with the government to prioritize the recruitment of qualified Yoruba applicants into these positions… We seriously need to start prioritizing the development of our indigenous people as a form of self-development and good rewarding system,” he wrote.
Similarly, Oluboba Adeyinka Ezekiel echoed strong ethnic sentiments in his reaction, saying:
“Please, Honourable Commissioner, use this employment opportunity to recruit only Yoruba people. The wealth of Yorubaland should be for Yoruba people. If we fail to empower our people now, who will vote and fight for our survival tomorrow?”
Despite the controversy, environmental analysts have lauded the expansion of LAGESC/KAI as a timely intervention that will strengthen enforcement and promote environmental responsibility across the metropolis — especially as the state continues its battle against waste mismanagement and street trading in high-traffic areas.
Government sources say the recruitment process will follow established civil service procedures to ensure fairness and professionalism in line with the Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to merit-based employment and inclusive governance.