A noticeable wave of community action swept across Lagos State on Saturday, April 25, 2026, as residents participated in the reinstated monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
The widespread turnout reflects a growing willingness among Lagosians to embrace cleaner habits and take responsibility for their surroundings.
From densely populated districts to quieter suburbs Ikorodu, Badagry, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Alimoso, Ikeja, and Agege residents were actively engaged in sweeping streets, clearing waste, and improving their immediate environment.
The exercise, held simultaneously across the state, demonstrated a coordinated effort to revive a culture of sanitation that once defined Lagos.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, highlighted the strong participation levels, describing the response as encouraging and indicative of a positive shift in public attitude.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu would like to put on record the enthusiasm of residents who woke up early to obey the call for a return to a culture that made our state a healthy and clean place for all,” the statement said.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also expressed appreciation for the collective effort, framing it as both a civic duty and a reflection of shared values among Lagosians.
“I thank Lagosians who joined the call to clean up our environment as a sure step to good health. That is patriotic; it is the Spirit of Lagos that we often speak about. We should continue to walk that path,” gov Sanwo-Olu said.
Even as he praised the turnout, the governor used the moment to reinforce an important warning. With the rainy season drawing near, improper waste disposal remains a serious concern, particularly due to its link with flooding.
“The governor urged residents to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse, especially now that the rains are coming,” the statement added.
To address these risks, the state government has already intensified efforts to clear drainage channels and gutters across various parts of Lagos. These preventive measures are being taken in response to forecasts predicting heavy rainfall in the coming months.
“The government has embarked on a massive cleanup of gutters and drainage systems around the state to prevent flooding, following the weatherman’s forecast of heavy rains this year,” the statement noted.
Beyond physical cleanup, authorities are also focusing on long-term behavioral change. The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources is collaborating with the Ministry of Information and Strategy to educate the public on the dangers of improper waste disposal and blocked drainage systems.
The return of the monthly sanitation exercise marks a significant policy shift. Originally reintroduced on March 14, the initiative began with Governor Sanwo-Olu leading top officials in a cleanup exercise along Agege Motor Road in Mushin. That symbolic gesture set the tone for what is now becoming a recurring civic activity.
As participation continues to grow, the government appears intent on embedding environmental responsibility into everyday life, rebuilding a culture where cleanliness is not enforced, but embraced.
