The Lagos State Government has reiterated its strong commitment to building a zero-waste economy through strategic partnerships, improved landfill operations, recycling programmes, and waste-to-energy initiatives aimed at creating a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this known during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing marking the seventh anniversary of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration in the environmental sector, held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa.
Wahab explained that the government remains focused on achieving the goals of the THEMES Plus Agenda by promoting a cleaner, healthier, flood-resilient, and environmentally sustainable Lagos.
He highlighted major achievements recorded by the ministry in areas such as environmental sanitation, waste management, drainage infrastructure, climate governance, beautification, water supply, wastewater management, and environmental enforcement.
According to him, one of the administration’s notable achievements was the successful return of the monthly statewide environmental sanitation exercise, which has helped revive environmental awareness and encourage stronger community participation in sanitation activities across the state.
He noted that the exercise attracted widespread participation from residents, local government councils, private organisations, and government officials, reflecting renewed public interest in maintaining a cleaner environment.
The commissioner also disclosed that enforcement operations were intensified through relevant agencies, leading to the arrest and prosecution of environmental offenders, removal of illegal traders and squatters, as well as the issuance of environmental abatement notices across Lagos.
Providing details of the enforcement activities, Wahab said 5,715 individuals were arrested for crossing highways illegally, while 3,886 others were apprehended for offences including street trading, environmental pollution, and cart-pushing. He added that 102 persons were arrested for open defecation, while 931 others were apprehended for waste-related offences.
Speaking on waste management initiatives, Wahab revealed that the ministry commissioned the Ikosi Waste-to-Energy Biodigester Plant located within the Ketu Fruit Market. He explained that the facility converts organic waste into electricity, cooking gas, and agricultural fertiliser.
According to him, the plant processes about 0.5 tonnes of organic waste daily and generates 30kWh of electricity used for lighting and cold storage, while also contributing to emission reduction efforts.
He further stated that landfill efficiency and waste truck turnaround time had improved significantly, adding that the licenses of five underperforming PSP operators were withdrawn after a comprehensive performance review.
In the healthcare sector, Wahab said the government strengthened medical waste management by deploying 35 new PSP operators to health facilities across the three senatorial districts. He added that 3,920 healthcare facilities are now registered statewide, with between 80,000kg and 105,000kg of medical waste treated monthly.
The commissioner said the state also expanded its waste-to-wealth programme through the signing of 12 new environmental sustainability partnerships, while monitoring and enforcement against indiscriminate waste disposal were intensified.
He added that the government sustained its ban on Styrofoam and single-use plastics, noting that over 137,530kg of PET plastics had been removed from the environment, alongside increased recycling and resource recovery activities.
On climate governance, Wahab said Lagos retained its position as Nigeria’s leading state in climate governance for the second consecutive year.
He noted that the state successfully hosted the 2025 Lagos International Climate Change Summit, which focused on financing Africa’s coastal resilience and blue economy opportunities.
The commissioner also disclosed that over 100 air quality monitoring sensors had been installed across the state, while cleaner fish-processing technology was introduced in Makoko to reduce smoke emissions and improve public health conditions for local fish processors.
As part of the state’s greening initiative, Wahab said 16,966 trees were planted across the five divisions of Lagos, while new recreational parks were developed and existing ones upgraded.
Addressing flood control efforts, the commissioner said the administration carried out extensive dredging, drainage clearing, and channel construction projects across the state.
He stated that the ministry maintained and cleaned 18 primary drainage channels covering 76 kilometres and secondary channels spanning 178 kilometres, while also removing illegal structures obstructing drainage alignments.
Wahab added that the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang responded to several flood-prone areas and black spots across Lagos, covering approximately 210 kilometres, as part of efforts to reduce flooding and improve stormwater management in vulnerable communities.
In the water resources sector, he announced the commissioning of the rehabilitated 1MGD Akilo Mini Waterworks and noted that work is progressing steadily on the Adiyan Phase II Water Treatment Plant and the expansion of potable water infrastructure across the state.
He concluded that the achievements recorded in sanitation, waste management, climate action, drainage, beautification, environmental enforcement, and water infrastructure reflect the Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to sustainable environmental reforms and improved living conditions for Lagos residents.
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