Lagos rejects ‘smelling’ claims, affirms commitment to clean city

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to a cleaner, more resilient, and livable city, dismissing viral claims that the state is “smelling.”

In a Sunday statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adeshina, the government emphasised that Lagos is evolving as a megacity with structured solutions to tackle environmental challenges.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, described the allegations as misleading, asserting that the state remains focused on strategic environmental initiatives.

“Lagos is not ‘smelling’; it is evolving—toward sustainable waste processing, modernized landfill management, cleaner waterways, and structured sanitation systems,” he said.

He stressed that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is unwavering in its commitment to environmental sustainability.

“The present administration remains steadfast in its commitment to building a cleaner, more sustainable city through strategic environmental initiatives,” Wahab stated, adding that waste and sanitation challenges in a rapidly growing megacity like Lagos require “structural solutions—not sound bites or political rhetoric.”

He highlighted ongoing measures to address environmental concerns, including the installation of over 50 air quality monitors at strategic locations to capture emissions from industrial, transport, and household sources.

“We have deployed over 50 air quality monitors across the state to ensure continuous assessment and control of pollutants affecting our environment,” he noted.
Waste collection services

To improve waste management, Wahab disclosed that the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has expanded its waste collection services to hard-to-reach communities.

“In line with the State THEMES Plus Agenda, LAWMA has expanded waste collection services to hard-to-reach communities, and in partnership with Ibeju Lekki Local Government, tricycle compactors have been introduced to provide waste collection services on a pay-as-you-go model in areas with non-motorable roads,” he said, revealing that “this model will be expanded later this year with the introduction of 500 tricycle compactors across similar areas.”

He further disclosed plans to transform waste disposal in Lagos through landfill management.

“Within the next 18 months, the state will close Olusosun and Solous 3 landfills, transitioning them into modern Transfer Loading Stations where waste will be sorted, compacted, and redirected to recycling facilities,” Wahab stated.
Waste-to-energy initiatives

He also spoke about the state’s investment in waste-to-energy initiatives.

“Lagos is advancing its Waste-to-Energy project in Epe, which will process 2,500 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily and generate between 60 and 80 megawatts of electricity, contributing clean energy to the Lagos power grid,” he explained.

In addressing plastic pollution, Wahab reaffirmed the government’s commitment to banning non-biodegradable materials.

“In addition to a ban on styrofoam food packs, the state has also commenced the phasing out of single-use plastics while promoting sustainable alternatives and extended producer responsibilities among manufacturers,” he said.

He emphasized that the government is working with international partners to maximize waste recovery and recycling efforts.

“The state government has signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with international partners to develop waste-to-resource initiatives that will ensure Lagos remains at the forefront of waste recovery, recycling, and energy generation,” he stated.
Industrial pollution control

On industrial pollution control, Wahab pointed out that efforts by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) have yielded positive results.

“In the past two years, industrial effluent discharge into Lagos waterways has reduced by 25 per cent owing to the consistency of LASEPA in regulating their discharge through permits, fines, penalties, and outright publicized seals,” he said.
Bio-remediation techniques

He revealed that the government is implementing bio-remediation techniques to improve water quality.

“We are already implementing bio-remediation techniques to improve surface water quality through natural purification processes, enhancing the quality of water in our lagoon and canals,” Wahab said.

The commissioner also detailed steps taken to manage sewage and wastewater effectively.

“Through the Waste Water Management Office (LASWMO), we have deployed three Modular Septage Pre-Treatment Plants (MSPPs) to enable efficient treatment of fecal sludge before discharge into the Odo Iya Alaro water body,” he explained.

He added that LASWMO enforces strict compliance among members of the Sewage and Wastewater Dislodgers Association of Nigeria to prevent indiscriminate dumping of wastewater and ensure best practices in sewage evacuation.

As part of its street sanitation program, Wahab stated that thousands of workers are deployed daily to keep the city clean.

“Every day, 15,000 street sweepers are deployed across highways, inner roads, and markets, ensuring that Lagos remains clean while we also enforce stronger compliance with environmental laws,” he said.
Open defecation

He also spoke on efforts to curb open defecation.

“In addressing open defecation, the state is embarking on continuous sensitization and the construction of an additional 150 public toilets, which will be complemented by another 250 to be built through public-private partnerships,” he revealed.
Tree-planting campaign

To enhance green infrastructure, Wahab announced the launch of a major tree-planting campaign.

“To make Lagos greener and healthier, the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency recently launched a ‘Trees for Lagos’ campaign that will ensure the planting of an additional 50,000 trees in two years,” he said.

This is as he added that the trees will be planted in key locations, including major highways, railway routes, industrial areas, public and private estates, schools, and hospitals.

Wahab assured residents that the government remains committed to making Lagos a model city for waste management, water sustainability, and environmental responsibility.

“We are building a cleaner, more resilient Lagos, and our commitment to a sustainable future remains unwavering,” he concluded.