By Kayode Olopade
Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise, declaring that the initiative is now a permanent feature of its strategy to build a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable megacity.
The government said it would intensify public enlightenment and community engagement to encourage voluntary compliance among residents, stressing that environmental cleanliness remains a collective responsibility that must be embraced as a civic culture.
The assurance came during the second edition of the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise held simultaneously across the state on Saturday.
Leading the exercise in Alimosho Local Government Area, wife of the Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, joined residents, environmental officials and community stakeholders in cleaning public spaces and promoting environmental consciousness. She was accompanied by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab; Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment, Mr. Rotimi Akodu; members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO); and other senior government functionaries.
In a parallel exercise, the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, led top government officials in monitoring compliance and sanitation activities across Apapa and adjoining communities.
Speaking with journalists after the exercise, Wahab commended residents and local authorities for their participation, describing Alimosho as one of the cleanest local government areas in the state.
According to him, the level of cleanliness observed in the area reflected the commitment of local government officials and residents to maintaining a healthy environment.
“We observed that some local governments are exceptionally clean and this local government appears to be one of them. We have encouraged the chairman, his team and other stakeholders to sustain the momentum through continuous engagement with residents,” he said.
The commissioner noted that the local government had demonstrated capacity in waste management through effective evacuation and disposal systems, adding that such efforts complement the state's broader environmental sustainability agenda.
Wahab also stressed that the environmental sanitation exercise would continue to hold on the last Saturday of every month, regardless of public holidays or festive celebrations.
He said the state's commitment to environmental cleanliness remained unwavering, noting that residents must recognise sanitation as a shared obligation.
“Three days ago we celebrated Sallah, while many people also marked another major festival yesterday. However, today we are cleaning our environment because we have made a commitment that every last Saturday of the month is Environmental Sanitation Day in Lagos State,” he stated.
Addressing concerns over compliance by commercial transport operators and residents, Wahab said the government was prioritising persuasion and public education over coercion.
“In fairness, we found very few commercial buses on the roads. We have communicated appropriately with transport stakeholders. As for residents, we will continue to educate and engage them on the importance of dedicating just two hours every month to cleaning their environment,” he said.
He explained that the government was focused on cultivating a long-term culture of environmental responsibility among Lagosians rather than imposing stringent restrictions.
“We are trying to build a dominant culture of cleanliness across Lagos State. This initiative was suspended for almost a decade, and bringing it back in a state with a youthful and dynamic population requires effective communication and sustained advocacy,” Wahab added.
The commissioner clarified that the government was not currently enforcing movement restrictions during the exercise, noting that authorities were satisfied with the level of participation recorded so far.
Corroborating the commissioner, the Head of Service, Agoro, underscored the link between environmental cleanliness and public health, warning that poor sanitation contributes significantly to disease outbreaks and declining quality of life.
“We are serious about cleaning our environment because nobody wants to live in a dirty environment. A clean environment promotes health, happiness and productivity, while poor sanitation exposes people to various illnesses and health risks,” he said.
Agoro urged residents to embrace voluntary compliance, stressing that the government's objective was behavioural change rather than punishment.
“It is not about sanctions. It is about encouraging people to do the right thing. Of course, there are environmental laws and penalties for violations, and enforcement remains necessary where infractions occur. But our ultimate goal is to create a society where people instinctively understand that littering and environmental abuse are unacceptable,” he said.
The renewed sanitation campaign forms part of the Sanwo-Olu administration's broader environmental sustainability agenda aimed at strengthening waste management, improving public health outcomes and fostering a cleaner urban environment across Africa's largest city.
This version is structured in the style of a national newspaper report, with a stronger lead, better flow, balanced quotations, and a broader policy context that elevates the story beyond a routine event report.
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