Beyond rhetoric: Steps towards a cleaner, sustainable future in Lagos

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 Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour portrayed 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. Recognising 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 modernising 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 revolutionising 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 faecal 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 administration’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 administration 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 support 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 before. This frontal, albeit deceitful 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.

Babajide FADOJU, a communication strategist, writes from Abuja