NewStats: 3,261,151 , 8,173,198 topics. Date: Wednesday, 28 May 2025 at 11:21 AM gh6y

Beyond Rhetoric: Lagos State's Bold Steps Towards a Cleaner, Sustainable Future by Babajide Fadoju

The recent wave of criticism targeting Lagos State’s environmental efforts is not only misleading but dismissive of the substantial work being done to transform the city.

It is one thing to critique; it is another to acknowledge real progress. A recent statement from Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour portrays Lagos as an environmental disaster, suggesting that the state has failed in waste management, sanitation, and urban cleanliness.

However, such a narrative is both inaccurate and ignores the verifiable, strategic reforms implemented under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, particularly through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources led by Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab.

Lagos generates over 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, the highest of any city in West Africa. Managing such an immense volume of waste requires more than ad hoc suggestions; it demands structured policies and consistent enforcement.

Unlike those who claim the solution is as simple as sweeping the streets, the government has implemented a comprehensive waste management strategy.

LAWMA ensures daily waste collection across all 57 local council development areas, while tricycle compactors have been deployed to service hard-to-reach areas. Recognizing the need for long-term solutions, the government is transitioning from landfill dependency to a structured recycling and waste-to-energy system.


In a bold step towards modernizing waste disposal, the government has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to decommission the Olusosun and Akesan landfills.

These closures are pivotal to mitigating environmental hazards and promoting sustainable urban living. In addition, a waste-to-energy power plant in Epe is being developed to process 2,500 tonnes of waste daily, generating 80 megawatts of electricity, further revolutionizing the state's waste disposal system.

Beyond this, partnerships with international firms such as Jospong Group, Lafarge, and Harvest Waste are ensuring improved recycling, plastic-to-fuel conversion, and electronic waste management.

These are concrete steps towards a cleaner Lagos, not empty rhetoric.
Public sanitation is another area where significant progress has been made.

Over 1,700 public toilets have been established across transport hubs and informal settlements, complemented by Modular Septage Pre-Treatment Plants (MSPP) to ensure proper fecal sludge treatment.


The Lagos Wastewater Management Office monitors more than 300 private wastewater treatment plants, ensuring they adhere to sanitation regulations.

The state’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) policy underscores a structured approach to sanitation management, ensuring financial and environmental sustainability.

Moreover, existing public facilities are undergoing extensive refurbishments, reflecting a holistic approach to improving hygiene standards across Lagos.


Lagos' waterways, previously clogged with refuse, are now being systematically cleaned. The Lagos Marine Waste Operations remove tons of waste from canals and lagoons daily using waste-collection boats and river booms to intercept debris before it reaches the ocean. Meanwhile, urban greening efforts have resulted in over 54,000 new trees being planted across the city, with an additional 50,000 trees planned within the next two years.

The commitment to afforestation was recently reinforced with the planting of 157 trees in Dolphin Estate, ensuring a greener, more environmentally resilient Lagos.

Beyond waste management and sanitation, the government is also making significant strides in infrastructure. Lagos has embarked on a mission to increase its daily potable water supply to 100 million gallons by 2027, with major revamps of Adiyan and Ishashi waterworks underway.

Agreements with WaterAid will restore water supply in underserved communities, underscoring the istration’s commitment to long-term infrastructure development.

Additionally, the rehabilitation of the Akilo Micro Waterworks in Ifako-Ijaiye is poised to restore potable water supply to thousands of households, further cementing Lagos' dedication to sustainable water resource management.


Housing is also a key component of environmental sustainability. Addressing the housing deficit remains a cornerstone of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's agenda.

The Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (LagosHOMS) has already delivered over 20,000 affordable housing units, with 704 additional units under construction in Ikorodu.

In December 2024, the istration signed an MoU for the construction of 704 two-bedroom apartments in Odo Nla, Ikorodu.

These efforts not only provide shelter but also promote proper waste management within planned communities, reducing environmental degradation associated with informal settlements.


While the government leads with action, citizens must also take responsibility.

It is easy to critique LAWMA, LASEPA, and EFAG from the sidelines, but the reality is that adherence to environmental laws determines the success of these efforts.

Market traders must stop dumping refuse into drainage systems, businesses and residents must subscribe to waste collection services instead of engaging in illegal disposal, and communities must the ban on styrofoam and single-use plastics.

Without collective action, the best-laid plans of the government will not achieve their full impact.
Empty Criticism vs. Measurable Impact

It is easy to list problems. However, the real task lies in addressing them with strategic, long-term solutions rather than sensationalism.

The Lagos State Government is implementing policies that require time and collective responsibility to achieve lasting impact. No city of Lagos’ magnitude transforms overnight, but the progress is undeniable.

Lagos is not stagnant. Lagos is working. And it is an issue on which Mr Gbadebo and the Honourable Commissioner have conversed on before.


This frontal, albeit decietful attack is just below his person. All may be fair in politics but not all is fair in leadership. This is about the people, not scoring some cheap political points.


Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab and his team remain committed to making Lagos cleaner, healthier, and more livable. Constructive engagement—not alarmist rhetoric—is what Lagos needs to move forward.

Constructive engagement and collective responsibility from all stakeholders are essential to actualize these objectives and ensure enduring progress.

https://independent.ng/beyond-rhetoric-lagos-states-bold-steps-towards-a-cleaner-sustainable-future/

Lagos smells

Good, but Lagos needs portable water. Lagos needs to enforce order, Obalende, Lawason Ebute-Meta are dirty.

Go to Amuwo odofin where you have different industries like fresh Yo yoghut and DAbur herbal toothpaste and warehouses.

You will cry if you see the road conditions now that it's even dry season talkless of raining season .

Dangote have warehouses there too and they all pay billions in taxes in that area. Around 2023 the companies came together to fix all the roads there and Omonile miscreants demand they pay them ₦10m first before the project will be done.

If someone explain Nigeria to you and you understand it then something is wrong with you

mohbadliveson:
Lagos smells

You beat me to this, May God forgive you

Why do easterners hate Lagos.

Lagos is smelly

Itesiwaju Eko

May Nigeria succeed

Tinubu tinubu Chad is attacking nigeria

Ok

Lol

Loud noisemaking.
Do your nasty job first to rid your Lagos of stench and thereafter use a plane to spray air freshener to displace the miasmatic putrid air surrounding the 'eko ti baje' atmosphere.
Then you can come and talk to us. Irè O!

mohbadliveson:
Lagos smells

Alesh just before Northwest, your nose will close. Open defecation.

Just before the pedestrian bridge at Ajah. Your nose will close.

Let traffic meet you at the foot of Agungi pedestrian bridge.

Jesus!

But Lagos is Smelling naah 👺👺

Lagos dey smell but critics can’t leave Lagos to go and enjoy clean air in their villages.

Ok

Eko o ni baje o.




I buys and sell crypto assets. Check my signature for more information 👇

lordm:
Why do easterners hate Lagos.

you need enough helmet when you hustle at busstops.it helps protect the reasoning cells God deposits in your brain.what is this

Lagos is not smelly abeg

lordm:
Why do easterners hate Lagos.

And they can't not make it without coming to Lagos State and there families.

IamtheTruth1:

Alesh just before Northwest, your nose will close. Open defecation.

Just before the pedestrian bridge at Ajah. Your nose will close.

Let traffic meet you at the foot of Agungi pedestrian bridge.

Jesus!

Retching odour right?

They say that State smells like shit!

What is said about Lagos ...is it not true? So why is he calling it rhetoric? If what he is saying is not true then it means Lagos is a clean city ... no sanitation problem ...no refuse problem ... the atmosphere is all rosy ..no air pollution. If the City is making efforts to lean up the mess ..fine. The problem is poor planning and poor enforcement of rules. He mentioned Lagos produces 13 000 tons of refuse daily. Then he talks about the plan to have a modern facility that will process 2500 tons of garbage daily. He should do the math. This is poor planning...the problem will still be there when the new plan is done and operational. Get the basics first ....potable water.

Note. These politicians are programmed .. there are certain words and phrases that they must currently the word is sustainable .... before it was world best practices... don't hear that one again.

Fix the problem. No need for press

lordm:
Why do easterners hate Lagos.

Where are the easterners that hate Lagos? Stop imagining rubbish

jimi4us:
Go to Amuwo odofin where you have different industries like fresh Yo yoghut and DAbur herbal toothpaste and warehouses.

You will cry if you see the road conditions now that it's even dry season talkless of raining season .

Dangote have warehouses there too and they all pay billions in taxes in that area. Around 2023 the companies came together to fix all the roads there and Omonile miscreants demand they pay them ₦10m first before the project will be done.

If someone explain Nigeria to you and you understand it then something is wrong with you

You see rhay commumity boys issue is everywhere.

It's here in Warri I see it for the firat time that I will buy freezer for personal use, boys must collect money before carry it tjwir zone.

That's how you pay in each communirty untill you reach youe residence.

I really like that a corper has brought to the world’s attention how dirty Lagos is, which is an indictment on the istration. I’m not only here to criticise but also offer solutions if Lagos state government is ready to take it.

1) Set up a huge recycling plants for all kinds of wastes in Lagos. This would be mean when garbage trucks are dumping wastes, most will be partitioned and recycled.

2) All Lagos householders should be provided with different plastics for waste recycling. Garbage trucks would only have to pick up the rolled out plastics and empty them into their trucks, making the process neat and tidy.

3) All restaurants, companies, businesses should have a waste management and recycling certificates before operation. This would mean when they are disposing waste, they recycle appropriately for collection.

4) Lagos state should have the capacity to treat all kinds of waste, including toxic chemicals, medical wastes, biological, etc.

5) Organic waste collected should be turned into compost for fertilisers.

6) Non-recyclable waste can be incinerated and used to power households. Nothing should go to landfill.

7) Incentivise garbage truck holders to bring in mechanise sweepers to sweep the streets regularly.

30 minutes before environmental sanitation is over, all garbage trucks should be deployed across the states to retrieve the wastes and sweepers should follow suit.

9) Provide trash bins across the states and ensure they are regularly emptied.

10) Anyone not properly disposing waste, or pouring waste into drainages should be fined or imprisoned.

Lagos State officials are scammers

What is all these BS he is saying?

We all live in Lagos and we know Lagos is the realest s*** hole in the world.

Where they dump refuse in the middle of residentials, refuse piling up as high as Kilimanjaro.

The entire 7 up stinks. The entire igando stinks.. you move on the road and you see poop everywhere.


All the gutters in Lagos has turned to make shift refuse deposit disposal dumps.

Lagos is a health disaster

Not bad

israelmao:


Retching odour right?

Jesus! You must puke