Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has directed an urgent acceleration of waste removal operations across the metropolis in response to mounting piles of trash in various neighborhoods. The directive, announced on Thursday by the governor’s media aide Gboyega Akosile, aims to address public frustration over deteriorating sanitation conditions.
The state government acknowledged the dissatisfaction expressed by citizens and emphasized that the issue has been escalated to the highest levels of attention. Authorities reiterated their commitment to providing a hygienic, healthful, and ecologically balanced environment for all residents.
According to the official statement, Sanwo-Olu has instructed all relevant agencies—including the Ministry of the Environment, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and other environmental bodies—to ramp up their activities. The governor mandated round-the-clock waste evacuation to eliminate backlogs and restore normal hygiene standards in impacted communities.
Additional resources have been deployed to boost ongoing operations, and new strategic measures are being implemented to enhance the efficiency of waste collection and disposal systems.
Lagos, a rapidly growing megacity, generates approximately 13,000 tonnes of waste each day—one of the highest volumes on the African continent. While acknowledging that operational hiccups can occur in such a vast and complex system, the government insisted it possesses both the capability and resolve to effectively manage the situation.
Residents were assured that the current challenges are temporary, with notable progress already visible in several areas. “This difficulty will not persist. We are already recording substantial improvements in various locations, and more advances will become apparent across the state in the coming days,” the statement read.
The Sanwo-Olu administration continues to invest heavily in environmental sustainability, waste management infrastructure, and urban renewal projects aimed at building a cleaner, safer Lagos. The government called on residents, community leaders, market associations, and business owners to support sanitation efforts by disposing of waste responsibly and avoiding practices that clog drainage systems, roads, and designated collection points.
“We will not allow this problem to drag on. The government is fully in control and pursuing a comprehensive response that not only clears current accumulations but also strengthens the long-term resilience of the state’s waste management framework,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its dedication to environmental protection and public health, the government pledged to continue taking necessary actions to keep Lagos communities clean and safe. “A cleaner Lagos is not just a goal; it is a promise we will keep delivering,” the statement concluded.