The Lagos State Government has announced that the monthly environmental sanitation exercise will resume on Saturday, April 25, 2026, with residents expected to take part in a statewide clean-up aimed at improving hygiene and safety.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this known in a statement, where he outlined how the exercise will be carried out and what residents should expect.
According to him, the sanitation exercise will now hold on the last Saturday of every month, between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. During this period, movement across Lagos will be controlled to allow people clean their homes, streets, and drainage systems.
The move is part of renewed efforts by the state government to tackle environmental problems such as poor waste disposal, blocked drainage, and flooding, which have remained major challenges in Nigeria’s busiest city.
Wahab explained that the exercise follows a symbolic flag-off carried out on March 14, 2026, along the Mushin–Agege Motor Road corridor. That event marked the official return of a sanitation culture that was once common in Lagos but had reduced in recent years.
He said the government is determined to bring back regular cleaning habits among residents, stressing that maintaining a clean environment requires joint effort between the authorities and the public.
“Residents are expected to clean their homes, surroundings, and drainage frontages during the exercise,” Wahab said. “This is important for a cleaner and safer Lagos.”
To ensure that the exercise is taken seriously, the government has put in place strict monitoring measures. Officials from different agencies will be deployed across the state to supervise the exercise and check compliance.
These include officers from the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) task force, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), and sanitation inspectors from local governments.
The officials will carry out inspections during and after the sanitation period. Anyone found not complying with the directive may face penalties in line with the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017.
The law provides sanctions for offences such as failure to clean surroundings, dumping refuse indiscriminately, or blocking drainage channels. Authorities say enforcing these rules is necessary to change behaviour and ensure that the exercise has a lasting impact.
Lagos, with a population of over 20 million people, faces serious environmental pressure due to rapid urban growth. Waste management remains a major concern, with large volumes of refuse generated daily across the state.
Improper waste disposal has been linked to flooding, especially during the rainy season. Blocked drains often prevent water from flowing freely, leading to waterlogging in many communities. This not only damages homes and roads but also increases the risk of disease.
Wahab noted that the government is not relying only on enforcement but is also introducing incentives to encourage participation. He announced that there will be rewards for the cleanest Local Government Area (LGA), Local Council Development Area (LCDA), and the cleanest street.
The reward system is expected to promote healthy competition among communities and motivate residents to keep their surroundings clean even beyond the sanitation hours.
In addition, the Lagos Waste Management Authority will deploy trucks across the state to collect refuse generated during the exercise. Residents are advised to properly bag their waste to make collection easier and faster.
The commissioner also called on residents to cooperate with officials and avoid actions that could disrupt the exercise.
Environmental sanitation used to be a regular feature in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, with strict movement restrictions and widespread participation. However, the practice declined over time due to various concerns, including enforcement challenges and changing urban lifestyles.
The reintroduction of the exercise reflects the government’s effort to revive that culture while adapting it to present-day realities. Instead of a total lockdown, the state is adopting controlled movement to balance convenience with the need for environmental cleanliness.
Some residents have welcomed the move, saying it will help improve hygiene and reduce flooding if properly enforced. Others, however, have called for continuous public education to ensure that people understand the importance of sanitation and comply willingly.
Wahab, in his message, urged Lagosians to see the exercise as a shared responsibility rather than a government directive alone.
“We urge all residents to take ownership of this exercise and join hands with the government in building a cleaner, safer and more sustainable Lagos,” he said.
As the first exercise begins on Saturday, April 25, attention will be on how residents respond and how effectively the program is carried out across different parts of the state.
If successful, the monthly sanitation exercise could play an important role in improving environmental conditions and reducing health risks in Lagos.
For now, the government is sending a clear message that keeping the environment clean is not optional, but a duty for everyone living in the state.