The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to building a zero-waste economy through strategic partnerships, improved landfill operations, recycling programmes, and innovative waste-to-energy projects.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this known on Sunday during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing marking the seventh anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration. The briefing was held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa.
Wahab stated that in line with the THEMES Plus Development Agenda, the State Government remains focused on creating a cleaner, healthier, flood-resilient, and environmentally sustainable megacity.
He highlighted key achievements recorded by the ministry across environmental sanitation, waste management, drainage infrastructure, climate governance, beautification, water supply, wastewater management, and environmental enforcement.
One of the major milestones, according to the Commissioner, was the successful reintroduction of the monthly statewide environmental sanitation exercise. He explained that the initiative was designed to restore environmental consciousness and encourage greater community participation in keeping Lagos clean.
“The exercise recorded massive participation from residents, local governments, private organisations, and state officials, demonstrating a renewed commitment to environmental cleanliness across the state,” he said.
Wahab noted that enforcement activities were significantly intensified through the ministry’s agencies, leading to the arrest and prosecution of environmental offenders, the removal of illegal traders and squatters, and the issuance of environmental abatement notices across Lagos.
Providing a breakdown of enforcement activities, he disclosed that 5,715 people were arrested for crossing highways illegally, while 3,886 others were apprehended for offences including street trading, environmental pollution, and cart-pushing. In addition, 102 persons were arrested for open defecation, while 931 individuals were sanctioned for waste management violations.
The Commissioner also announced the commissioning of the Ikosi Waste-to-Energy Biodigester Plant located within the Ketu Fruit Market. 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 approximately 30kWh of electricity for lighting and cold storage facilities, while delivering significant environmental benefits through reduced carbon emissions.
In the area of waste management, Wahab said the ministry improved landfill efficiency and reduced waste truck turnaround times. Following a comprehensive performance review, the operating licences of five underperforming Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators were withdrawn.
He further revealed that healthcare waste management received a boost with the deployment of 35 additional PSP operators to health facilities across the state’s three senatorial districts. Currently, 3,920 healthcare facilities are registered under the programme, with between 80,000kg and 105,000kg of medical waste treated every month.
“We have strengthened our waste-to-wealth initiatives through the signing of 12 new partnerships focused on environmental sustainability, while also intensifying monitoring and enforcement against indiscriminate waste disposal and other environmental violations,” Wahab said.
The Commissioner added that the state sustained its ban on Styrofoam and certain single-use plastics during the period under review. As part of ongoing recycling efforts, over 137,530 kilograms of PET plastic waste were removed from the environment and channelled into resource recovery programmes.
On climate governance and environmental sustainability, Wahab reported that Lagos maintained 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 unlocking opportunities within the blue economy. The ministry also deployed more than 100 air quality monitoring sensors across Lagos and introduced cleaner fish-processing technology in Makoko to reduce smoke emissions and improve public health outcomes.
In its ongoing greening initiative, the ministry planted 16,966 trees across the five divisions of the state. New recreational parks were also developed, while existing parks are currently undergoing upgrades and renovation.
Wahab stated that flood control and drainage management remained a major priority for the administration. Extensive dredging, drainage maintenance, and channel construction projects were carried out across various parts of Lagos.
According to him, the ministry maintained and cleaned 18 primary drainage channels covering 76 kilometres, as well as secondary channels spanning 178 kilometres. Illegal structures obstructing drainage alignments were also removed to improve water flow.
He added that the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) responded to several flood-prone locations and black spots across the state, covering approximately 210 kilometres. These interventions, he said, underscore the government’s determination to reduce flooding and improve stormwater management in vulnerable communities.
In the water resources sector, the Commissioner highlighted the commissioning of the rehabilitated 1 Million Gallons Per Day (MGD) Akilo Mini Waterworks. He also reported steady progress on the Adiyan Phase II Water Treatment Plant and the continued expansion of potable water infrastructure across the state.
Wahab concluded that the achievements recorded in sanitation, waste management, climate action, drainage infrastructure, beautification, environmental enforcement, and water supply demonstrate the Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to sustainable environmental reforms and improving the quality of life for all Lagos residents.