The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has launched a comprehensive cleanup and enforcement campaign in Lagos, Nigeria, as part of the 2026 World Cleanup Day celebrations. On September 21, 2026, LAWMA personnel, in collaboration with Green Janitors, embarked on environmental sanitation activities at strategic locations across the state, including Igando Market, Badagry Roundabout, and Oke-Afa Market. The initiative aimed to restore public spaces and promote environmental protection.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, emphasized the authority's commitment to sustained environmental sanitation and public participation. He noted that the World Cleanup Day activities served as a reminder to residents, businesses, and communities of their responsibility to protect the environment. Dr. Gbadegesin also urged corporate organizations to support environmental sanitation through their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
The cleanup efforts focused on markets, roads, and public spaces, where LAWMA personnel and Green Janitors worked together to remove accumulated waste and improve environmental conditions. The activities covered various areas, including Olorunda, Lord Mayor's Club in Badagry, and Ago Palace Way. LAWMA also intensified enforcement operations against individuals and businesses accused of violating waste management regulations.
As part of the enforcement efforts, LAWMA sealed several premises along Ago Palace Way, including plazas, hotels, lounges, and warehouses, for persistent illegal dumping. The authority also arrested 11 persons on Lagos Island for alleged unauthorized handling and illegal disposal of waste. The arrested individuals were identified as Shabban Tasiu, Nkechukwu Nwokeji, Kolawole Elija, Sunni Sado, Subairu Lawal, Abi Lawal, Sufianu Musa, Yusuf Lawan, Ahmed Lawal, St. Peter Eze, and Udo Richard.
The enforcement operations targeted those allegedly responsible for undermining sanitation efforts through improper waste disposal. LAWMA's efforts aimed to tackle waste build-up and environmental nuisance on road setbacks, medians, and other unauthorized spaces. The authority's Managing Director emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in environmental protection.
Dr. Gbadegesin highlighted the significance of partnerships between government and corporate organizations in sustaining environmental sanitation efforts. He encouraged businesses to complement government efforts through their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, which could help improve communities and public spaces across the state.
The 2026 World Cleanup Day activities in Lagos demonstrated the importance of sustained environmental sanitation and public participation. LAWMA's efforts serve as a reminder of the need for collective action in protecting the environment and promoting a cleaner, healthier Lagos. The authority's commitment to environmental protection and public participation is expected to continue beyond the periodic cleanup exercises.
Key points
- LAWMA has intensified cleanup and enforcement efforts in Lagos as part of the 2026 World Cleanup Day celebrations.
- The authority has arrested 11 persons on Lagos Island for alleged unauthorized handling and illegal disposal of waste.
- LAWMA's Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has urged corporate organizations to support environmental sanitation through their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
