10 things residents should know as Lagos officially resumes suspended monthly environmental sanitation today
The monthly environmental sanitation exercise suspended in 2016 under the administration of former governor Akinwunmi Ambode is set to resume today, Saturday, April 25, 2026.
The Lagos State Government in a release detailed guidelines ahead of the exercise with movement restrictions and strict enforcement measures to be implemented across the state.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the exercise will be observed on the last Saturday of every month between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., during which residents are expected to remain within their neighbourhoods to clean their homes, surroundings, and drainage frontages.
He added that enforcement teams from relevant agencies will be deployed to monitor compliance, conduct inspections, and ensure adherence to environmental laws, with defaulters facing sanctions. Waste collection trucks and incentive schemes will support the initiative and encourage active public participation.
Here are things to know as environmental sanitation resumes in Lagos on Saturday
1. The environmental sanitation exercise will officially resume on Saturday, April 25, 2026, and will be observed on the last Saturday of every month.
2. The exercise will take place between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., giving residents a two-hour window to clean their homes and immediate surroundings.
3. During the sanitation period, there will be controlled movement across the state. Residents are expected to remain within their neighbourhoods to fully participate in the exercise.
4. Residents are required to clean their homes, surroundings, and clear drainage systems in front of their properties. Proper waste disposal is also expected as part of civic responsibility.
5. Compliance will be monitored by multiple agencies, including the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, the Lagos Waste Management Authority, and Kick Against Indiscipline, as well as local sanitation officers.
6. Officials will conduct inspections during and after the sanitation period to ensure residents comply with the directive, thereby making the exercise more structured and effective.
7. Defaulters who fail to participate or violate the rules will face sanctions under existing environmental laws, as the government has pledged to enforce them strictly.
8. To support the exercise, trucks from the Lagos Waste Management Authority will be deployed to collect properly bagged waste generated during the cleanup.
9. The government will introduce rewards for the cleanest Local Government Area, Local Council Development Area, and street to encourage participation and healthy competition.
10. The sanitation exercise, suspended in 2016, is being revived under the leadership of Babajide Sanwo-Olu to tackle growing waste-management challenges, improve environmental hygiene, and reduce flood risks across the state.
No court invalidated exercise – Commissioner
Meanwhile, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab has clarified that the monthly environmental sanitation exercise remains valid and will proceed as scheduled, stating that no court decision has invalidated the initiative.
The commissioner in a statement on X on Friday, dismissed claims that the programme had been halted by a court ruling.
“No court pronouncement has invalidated this exercise. The state proceeded to the Court of Appeal, and judgment was delivered in our favour. The court affirmed that the laws used for the implementation and enforcement of environmental sanitation are legitimate and constitutional,” he said.
He urged residents to disregard what he described as misinformation surrounding the legality of the exercise.
“Disregard those who choose to mislead the public,” the statement added.
Officials said the monthly sanitation exercise had been carefully planned over an extended period and was necessary to improve environmental conditions across the state.
“We have planned this for over a year. We have thought it through. We cannot keep complaining about dirty surroundings and blaming the government while shirking our own responsibilities. The care of our environment is a collaborative project between government and citizens,” he added.
He also highlighted cooperation from transport unions, which it said would help ensure compliance during the two-hour window.
“Major transport unions controlling about 90 per cent of vehicles on our roads have pledged not to deploy their vehicles from major parks during the sanitation window.
“If government vehicles are staying put, what will it cost us to stay home for just two hours to clean our environment?” he asked.
Authorities noted that exceptions would be made for emergencies, scheduled flights, and students sitting examinations such as JAMB.
“We are not unreasonable. Exceptions exist for emergencies, scheduled flights, and students writing JAMB exams,” he averred.
The Lagos Waste Management Authority has been fully mobilised to evacuate waste generated during the exercise, while environmental health officers are expected to monitor compliance and issue abatement notices to defaulters.
“Tomorrow, let us show Lagos and the world that we are ready to take ownership of our environment. Two hours. One Saturday each month. A cleaner, healthier, flood-free Lagos for all of us,” he urged.
