The Lagos State Government has unveiled plans to revive its compulsory monthly environmental sanitation programme, set to resume on the last Saturday of every month from March 2025.
Authorities also expressed confidence in the progress of ongoing regeneration and flood control projects on Lagos Island, while encouraging residents to embrace cleanliness as a personal duty instead of relying solely on enforcement measures or movement restrictions.
The disclosure was made by Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, on Sunday, the 15th of February, 2026, during an inspection of key regeneration sites and areas affected by environmental violations on Lagos Island. He was joined by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu.
Wahab recalled that the sanitation exercise, previously observed between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on the final Saturday of each month, was halted in November 2016 due to enforcement difficulties in a densely populated urban centre.
He, however, pointed out that deteriorating environmental conditions including indiscriminate waste dumping, clogged drainage systems, and mounting refuse have made the programme’s reinstatement necessary.
While noting that earlier plans to restart the initiative were slowed by logistical constraints, Wahab said consultations with critical stakeholders were ongoing to ensure seamless implementation.
“We were prepared to begin earlier, but logistical issues arose. We are working towards a date acceptable to all stakeholders, and I am confident the exercise will commence in March, if not sooner,” he said.
The commissioner attributed many of the state’s environmental issues to lapses in civic responsibility rather than limitations in waste management infrastructure. He warned that markets operating along major roadways, despite being provided with waste disposal facilities, remain key contributors to illegal dumping, adding that stricter enforcement would soon be introduced in affected zones.
On the Lagos Island regeneration programme, Wahab assured residents that drainage rehabilitation and public infrastructure upgrades were advancing steadily. He stated that several flood-prone locations have already witnessed significant improvement, resulting in easier movement and reduced environmental risks.
During the tour, officials inspected the Oja-Oba underbridge, a site slated for redevelopment under a proposed public-private partnership and corporate social responsibility arrangement.
Wahab explained that preliminary clearing efforts were underway, with discussions ongoing with prospective partners. He added that the redevelopment would be executed in phases to guarantee long-term impact and sustainability.
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He further urged Lagosians to cultivate consistent sanitation habits, stressing that environmental cleanliness should not be viewed solely as a government-driven initiative.
“Setting aside a few hours weekly to clean our surroundings costs nothing, and that is the essence of reviving this initiative,” he said.
According to Wahab, the decision to reinstate the monthly sanitation exercise followed deliberations by the Lagos State Executive Council, supported by legal advice from the Ministry of Justice.
He clarified that past legal concerns focused primarily on movement restrictions rather than the sanitation policy itself, noting that those issues have now been resolved.
Wahab concluded by emphasising that environmental sanitation aligns with global best practices and remains essential for public health, urban resilience, and sustainable development in Lagos.