“Lagos Must Be Defined By Innovation, Not Plastic Pollution”, Sanwo-Olu 

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, over the weekend, called on all residents to make a shared declaration that Lagos will not be defined by pollution, but by action, innovation, and responsibility to achieve a zero-plastic waste future in the state. 

He made this call through the Special Adviser on Environment and Water Resources, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu at the 19th Annual Walk for Nature held at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Yaba, Lagos.

He described the theme: “Lagos, Let’s Beat Plastic Pollution,” as apt because the issue is urgent and also speaks directly to one of the most pressing environmental challenges of this time which is the unchecked use and improper disposal of plastic waste.

He said beating plastic pollution is essential to building a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient Lagos, saying it aligns perfectly with the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda, which prioritises the environment and sustainable growth.

Sanwo-Olu said across the world, plastic pollution has become a silent crisis that clogs the drains, pollutes the waterways, threatens marine life, and undermines the collective quest for a sustainable future.

He explained that Nigeria generates about 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, and Lagos alone accounts for approximately 870,000 tonnes, of which less than 12 per cent is recycled.

He added that plastic block drains worsen flooding issues, endanger marine life, and pose serious health risks to human existence. He stressed that the burden on the environment is enormous, saying the solution must begin with everyone through collective responsibility, behavioural change, and conscious environmental stewardship.

According to him, as a coastal megacity, Lagos must remain at the forefront of efforts to reverse this trend and set an example for others to follow. He recalled that the Government took practical steps to address the challenge earlier in the year by commencing the enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics and Styrofoam containers, aimed at curbing littering and drainage blockages.

He stated further that the Government, through the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), had strengthened waste collection and recycling systems as well as introduced the Blue Box Programme for waste separation at source. He added that the Government has also expanded waste-to-wealth initiatives that convert recyclables into economic opportunities.

He stressed that the government had also increased investments in recycling infrastructure, public awareness campaigns such as the Walk for Nature, and community clean-up exercises across all local governments in the state.

The Governor added that the Cleaner Lagos Initiative continues to empower waste managers, improve landfill operations, and foster stronger public-private partnerships in waste recovery and recycling.

He said the State’s Environmental Marshals are now better equipped to enforce sanitation laws, with stiffer penalties for indiscriminate dumping of refuse. He emphasised that beyond enforcement, the government is working with innovators to develop sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics and promote environmental education through schools and community outreach programmes.

He said government effort alone is not enough, charging all residents to take responsibility and adopt as well as practice the 8Rs of sustainable living, which are Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink, Repair, Re-gift, Recover, and Refuse.

Mr. Governor commended the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) for its unwavering commitment to promoting environmental awareness and for its long-standing partnership with the Lagos State Government.

He added that the Walk for Nature has, over the years, symbolised unity, shared purpose, and a growing movement toward responsible consumption, circular economy practices, and a mindset of preservation rather than pollution.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of the Environmental Services, Dr. Tajudeen Gaji noted that for nearly two decades, the Walk For Nature had served as a rallying point for raising public awareness on environmental issues and promoting the conservation of nature for sustainable living.

Dr. Gaji, who spoke through his counterpart in the Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite said the Government took a bold step in the fight against plastic pollution through the banning of the production, distribution, and use of plastic bags less than 40 microns in thickness.

He added that the law demonstrated the government’s commitment to safeguarding the environment and ensuring that plastic use as well as disposal are properly managed to protect the waterways, wetlands, and marine life.

Earlier in her remarks, the National Executive Council Chairman of NCF, Hon. Justice Mrs. Raliatu Adebiyi, noted that Lagos is home to more than 15 million people; as such, the population density comes with the challenge of managing waste and human excesses.

She urged everyone to be a conservationist, plant a tree, and teach others about sustainability, so that more people can help to secure a sustainable future.

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