Wahab: Over 98% Compliance Recorded; Cleanest LGAs to Get Awards.
The reinstated monthly environmental sanitation exercise recorded high compliance on Saturday as residents stayed indoors to clean, with major roads in Agege and Obalende free of commercial activity.
First Lady Doctor Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who monitored the exercise in Obalende, Eti-Osa, called the turnout encouraging for a first outing and urged Lagosians to adopt daily cleaning habits.
“Cleanliness should not be a monthly routine,” she said, praising the participation of students as key to building environmental responsibility early.
The Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, who led monitoring in Agege, said streets were largely clean and credited voluntary participation. He noted that the government placed no movement restrictions but encouraged residents to take ownership of their environment.
“A healthy environment prevents diseases and improves public health,” Agoro said.Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab put compliance at over 98% statewide.
He said the turnout shows “renewed commitment” to a clean, safe Lagos, adding that the state chose a community-driven approach over strict enforcement to drive lasting behavioural change.
Wahab said a ranking system for local governments will begin, with awards for the cleanest LGAs expected this week.
The sanitation exercise runs 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on the last Saturday of each month. It was suspended in November 2016 and reintroduced in March 2026.
Agege Local Government Area Chairman, Ganiyu Obasa said the council already runs an organised waste system with hundreds of sweepers, compactors, and routine drainage clearing. He called the state-wide return “a welcome reinforcement” but stressed enforcement is still critical.
“Improved coordination between state and local governments will further enhance environmental management,” he said.Officials said the revived exercise aims to promote public health, prevent disease outbreaks, and restore a culture of cleanliness across Lagos.
