…Commissioner Dispels Claims That Lagos is “Smelling”

Affirms City’s Evolution as a Megacity

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to ensure a clean, resilient, and livable city, dispelling viral insinuations that the state is “smelling.”

In a statement released on Sunday, March 23, 2025, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, outlined ongoing initiatives to demonstrate that Lagos is evolving—not deteriorating.

Lagos is Evolving, Not Smelling

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

He emphasized that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration remains steadfast in its commitment to building a cleaner and more sustainable city through strategic environmental initiatives.

Key Environmental Initiatives

To address environmental challenges, the state government has implemented the following measures:

1. Air Quality Monitoring

Over 50 air quality monitors have been installed across Lagos to track industrial, transport, and household emissions.

2. Waste Collection Expansion

LAWMA has extended waste collection services to hard-to-reach communities.

In partnership with Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, tricycle compactors have been introduced for waste collection in non-motorable areas under a pay-as-you-go model.

The initiative will be expanded with 500 more tricycle compactors later this year.

3. Closure of Major Landfills

Within 18 months, the Olusosun and Solous III landfills will be converted into modern Transfer Loading Stations (TLS).

These facilities will sort, compact, and redirect waste to recycling centers.

4. Waste-to-Energy Project

A waste-to-energy plant in Epe will process 2,500 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily.

The project will generate 60–80 megawatts of electricity for the Lagos power grid.

5. Ban on Styrofoam and Plastics

The state has banned styrofoam food packs and begun phasing out single-use plastics.

Manufacturers are encouraged to adopt sustainable alternatives under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program.

Three Modular Septage Pre-Treatment Plants (MSPP) have been deployed to treat fecal sludge before discharge.

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has reduced industrial effluent discharge into waterways by 25% through strict enforcement.

The Sewage and Wastewater Dislodgers Association of Nigeria is now under stricter regulation to prevent illegal waste dumping.

7. Street Sanitation and Open Defecation Control

15,000 street sweepers are deployed daily to clean highways, inner roads, and markets.

150 new public toilets will be built, with 250 more through public-private partnerships.

The government is working with local councils to maintain over 1,710 existing public toilets.

The “Trees for Lagos” campaign aims to plant 50,000 trees in the next two years.

Trees will be planted along highways, railway routes, industrial zones, schools, and hospitals.

Wahab noted that the Lagos State Government has signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with international partners to develop waste-to-resource projects.

“Our administration is committed to ensuring that Lagos remains at the forefront of waste recovery, recycling, and energy generation,” he added.

With these initiatives, the state government aims to transform Lagos into a cleaner, healthier, and more livable city for residents and future generations.