RismadarVoice Reporters
October 31, 2026
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to introduce a statewide cleanliness competition involving its 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas to encourage environmental hygiene and community participation.
The wife of the governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, disclosed the initiative on Saturday during the October monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Ikorodu.
She said the competition would recognise councils that demonstrate outstanding commitment to maintaining clean surroundings and promoting responsible waste disposal.
Sanwo-Olu commended residents of Ikorodu for participating in the exercise, expressing satisfaction with the cleanliness of major roads, commercial areas and public spaces.
She also acknowledged the involvement of traditional rulers, children, waste management personnel and other community stakeholders.
The governor’s wife urged residents to make environmental cleanliness a daily responsibility rather than an activity reserved for monthly sanitation exercises.
She encouraged Ikorodu residents to maintain their efforts and compete for recognition when the statewide assessment begins.
Addressing criticism of the monthly sanitation programme, Sanwo-Olu maintained that regular environmental awareness was necessary to encourage lasting behavioural change.
The October exercise marked the seventh monthly sanitation activity conducted under the state’s renewed environmental hygiene programme.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Head of Service, Bode Agoro, warned residents against dumping refuse into canals and drainage channels.
Agoro issued the warning while monitoring a simultaneous sanitation exercise in Ikeja alongside the council chairman, Akeem Olalekan Dauda, and other officials.
He expressed concern that indiscriminate waste disposal was obstructing waterways and increasing the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall.
According to him, the Ministry of the Environment had been notified to clear affected drainage channels, while discussions were ongoing with relevant authorities on the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.
However, he stressed that government interventions would achieve limited results unless residents stopped disposing of waste in waterways.
Agoro called on local government chairmen, traditional leaders and community organisations to intensify public education on proper sanitation practices.
Dauda said Ikeja Local Government had continued awareness campaigns against illegal dumping and encouraged residents to cooperate with environmental authorities.
The exercise covered Onilekere Street, Saidu Street, Olumo Street, Ijesha Close and Olukoyi Street.
The proposed cleanliness competition forms part of the government’s wider efforts to strengthen environmental responsibility and improve waste management across Lagos communities.
