The Lagos State Government on Tuesday issued a strong warning to all residents violating environmental laws, declaring that the era of leniency is over. Offenders who illegally dump refuse, litter the environment, or engage in open defecation now face stiff penalties, including a ₦250,000 fine or imprisonment for up to three months.
This declaration was made during a media briefing addressed by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, who emphasized that the state would henceforth enforce the Lagos Sanitation Environmental Law without compromise.
Wahab stated, “A stiff penalty of ₦250,000 or up to three months in jail awaits anyone caught dumping refuse illegally or littering the environment. Repeat offenders will face even stiffer punishments.” He described such acts as major contributors to flash flooding, public health risks, and environmental degradation across Lagos.
The Commissioner further issued a warning to individuals who habitually dump waste in drains, road medians, and setbacks. He expressed concern about the growing number of squatters occupying pedestrian bridges, engaging in open defecation and criminal activities, thereby discouraging pedestrians from using the facilities safely. According to him, defaulters risk arrest and prosecution.
“We have arrested and prosecuted over 3,000 environmental offenders, and we’re not slowing down. Our enforcement and sensitization drives will continue. Behavioural change is not achieved overnight, but we will get there,” Wahab asserted.
He also decried the practice of dumping building materials on roads or inside drainage channels by property developers and builders. “Structures found in violation of environmental laws will be sealed, and their owners will be prosecuted,” he warned.
In line with the government’s sanitation reforms, Wahab reiterated the total ban on open defecation and urination, noting that over 1,710 public toilets have been made available by the government and private partners. Additional facilities, he said, are accessible at eateries and petrol stations for public use.
On street trading, Wahab stressed that the ban remains firmly in place. “Trading will not be allowed on roads, medians, open spaces, or pedestrian walkways. Traders must restrict activities to designated markets and stalls.”
He also urged households and businesses to engage only with accredited Private Sector Participation (PSP) waste operators and ensure timely payment of waste bills.
“This supports the system and guarantees consistent waste collection service,” Wahab noted, adding that complaints about non-collection should be directed to LAWMA via its helplines: 080000LAWMA (08000052962) and 07080601020.
The Commissioner highlighted the proactive role of the Ministry’s surveillance and enforcement units, in collaboration with KAI and LAWMA taskforces.
These operatives, he said, are fully deployed across the state with a renewed mandate to arrest, name, and shame all convicted environmental offenders.
Reaffirming the ban on cart pushers, Wahab blamed them for widespread indiscriminate waste dumping and urged residents not to patronize them. “Only registered PSP operators should be engaged,” he insisted.
In preparation for World Environment Day on June 5, Wahab announced the theme for this year as “Ending Plastic Pollution”, underlining Lagos State’s resolve to tackle plastic waste.
He declared that the enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics will commence on July 1, 2025, following an 18-month moratorium granted to producers, distributors, and users.
“This move follows our earlier ban on Styrofoam food packs. There’s no going back now,” he said, emphasizing the ongoing advocacy efforts to educate the public on the new policy.
As the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations approach, Wahab appealed to all residents to maintain a clean and safe environment. “Let us make environmental protection a personal and collective priority during and after the Sallah celebrations,” he urged.
Present at the media briefing were the Special Adviser on Environment, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Mr. Gaji Omobolaji; Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite; Managing Director, LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin; MD, Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), Prince Fatiu Akiolu; General Manager, LASPARK, Mrs. Adetoun Popoola; GM, LASWAMO, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi; KAI Corps Marshal, Major Olatunbosun Cole (rtd.); Executive Director Operations, Lagos Water Corporation, Engr. Lanke Taiwo, as well as other top officials and directors of the ministry.
The Lagos State Government’s position is clear: anyone who disrespects the environment will face the full wrath of the law.
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