Three-Month Jail Term Awaits Lagos Residents Caught Dumping Waste Illegally, Government Warns

 

Lagos State Unveils Tough Sanctions Against Illegal Waste Disposal and Environmental Offenders

Residents of Lagos State have been handed a stern warning as the government intensifies its war against environmental lawlessness. Beginning July 1, those caught engaging in illegal refuse disposal or littering will face the full weight of the law — including fines as steep as ₦250,000 or imprisonment for up to three months.

Tokunbo Wahab, the state’s Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, issued the warning in a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, June 4. He emphasized that the government is no longer willing to tolerate any form of environmental abuse across the state’s sprawling urban and semi-urban areas.

Wahab's message followed a media briefing organized by the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. During the session, he made it unequivocally clear that enforcement of existing environmental regulations will no longer be lax, and new rules, including a ban on Single Use Plastics (SUPs), would come into effect from the first day of July.

The crackdown is part of a broader strategy to enhance environmental cleanliness and reduce the ecological hazards posed by unchecked urban waste. According to Wahab, the move is timely and necessary, considering the rising cases of indiscriminate dumping that have compromised drainage systems, caused flooding, and threatened public health.

Over 3,000 individuals have already been apprehended for various environmental offences, he revealed. These include illegal dumping, street littering, and open defecation. Each offender has been dealt with in accordance with the state’s sanitation and environmental laws, setting the stage for even stricter enforcement moving forward.

Cart pushers, often associated with illegal and unregulated waste collection, remain banned under the state’s waste management policies. The government maintains that these operators contribute significantly to unsanitary practices and indiscriminate waste dumping, undermining efforts to keep Lagos clean.

Public defecation and illegal street trading were also highlighted as key issues the state will continue to clamp down on. These practices, often normalized in congested parts of Lagos, have been described as both a public nuisance and a health hazard. Wahab stated that violators would no longer enjoy leniency and would face legal consequences in accordance with the existing environmental statutes.

Ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the commissioner urged residents to observe cleanliness as a form of civic responsibility. He called for a culture shift in how Lagosians manage their waste, encouraging them to act responsibly and support the government's efforts to create a more habitable and healthier city.

“Bag your waste,” Wahab advised, “don’t dump in drains or medians, and hand over refuse to your assigned PSP operator.”

The commissioner’s firm stance reflects a renewed political will to confront the state’s environmental challenges. With a population exceeding 20 million people, Lagos generates thousands of tonnes of waste daily. Managing this volume efficiently requires not just government policy but also public cooperation and accountability.

Lagos State has made several attempts in the past to tackle its waste crisis, including deploying more sanitation officers, introducing waste recycling initiatives, and working with private sector participants (PSPs). However, illegal dumping, especially in canals and uncompleted plots, has remained rampant, with offenders often evading consequences due to weak enforcement or social complicity.

This latest pronouncement signals a shift toward a more punitive approach. By imposing hefty fines and the threat of incarceration, the government aims to deter repeat offenders and elevate environmental consciousness among the populace.

Some residents, particularly those in densely populated low-income communities, have voiced concerns about the accessibility of regulated waste disposal services. Critics argue that enforcement must be paired with expanded infrastructure and education to ensure that residents understand the law and have the means to comply.

Nonetheless, the Lagos State Government appears resolute. Through continuous awareness campaigns, community engagement, and stringent sanctions, officials hope to reverse years of environmental degradation and build a cleaner, safer city for all.

The July 1 enforcement deadline leaves residents with less than a month to adjust their waste disposal habits. With the new policy covering both individuals and businesses, everyone — from market traders to private homeowners — is expected to align with the government’s environmental vision or face the consequences.

The message from Commissioner Wahab is clear: cleanliness is no longer optional in Lagos. It is a legal obligation, and failure to comply may now come at a significant personal cost.