Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Lagos, Nigeria — Nigeria’s commercial capital is facing a deepening waste management crisis, with sprawling refuse heaps, blocked drainages and persistent environmental pollution raising alarm among residents, health experts and policymakers. The situation, which has intensified in recent months, underscores widening gaps in sanitation services and threatens to amplify public health risks in Africa’s most populous city.
Across neighbourhoods from Surulere to Ikorodu, Alimosho to Kosofe, Mushin to Agege, residents report growing mountains of uncollected rubbish lining streets and clogging drainage channels, with the smell of rotting waste becoming a near‑daily reality. The spread of garbage is not merely an aesthetic concern: blocked drains heighten the risk of flooding, while piles of refuse create breeding grounds for disease vectors such as mosquitoes and rodents, fuelling fears of outbreaks of cholera, malaria, and other sanitation‑related illnesses.
The waste challenge in Lagos reflects broader structural strains. An estimated 13,000–15,000 tonnes of solid waste are generated daily, yet available collection systems — operated by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and private sector partners — can only collect a fraction of that total. LAWMA has acknowledged that existing resources fall short and is planning to expand operations, including acquiring 500 mobile tricycle compactors in 2026 to improve collection in hard‑to‑reach areas.
Lagos authorities have appealed to communities for cooperation, emphasising that waste management requires collective effort. Government efforts include sensitisation campaigns, enforcement against illegal dumping, and moves to reintroduce the monthly environmental sanitation exercise to encourage consistent cleanliness practices across the city. Despite these initiatives, critics argue that enforcement remains inconsistent and sanitary infrastructure insufficient.
Public health concerns are rising. Obstructed drainages caused by indiscriminate refuse disposal contribute to sanitation hazards and increase the risk of water‑borne diseases, as contaminated puddles and blocked gutters become breeding sites for harmful pathogens. As Lagos contends with rapid urban growth, the combination of mounting waste, poor disposal practices and population density amplifies vulnerability to health crises.
Plastic pollution remains a particularly stubborn problem in Lagos. Despite the state’s ban on single‑use plastics, a large share of discarded packaging and other non‑biodegradable waste continues to accumulate on streets, in canals and waterways, contributing to blocked drains and environmental degradation. Officials and civil society groups are urging stricter implementation of the ban, expanded recycling initiatives and broader adoption of sustainable practices to ease the burden.
Community reports also spotlight hotspots of illegal refuse dumping, such as in parts of Ikorodu, where waste appears in drainage channels, public spaces and even unfinished buildings, creating localized health hazards and visual blight. Residents have called for stronger monitoring and enforcement to deter such practices and protect neighbourhoods from the spread of disease and environmental harm.
Environmental advocates highlight the complex interplay between behavior, infrastructure and governance. They note that while Lagos State has reintroduced and expanded sanitation campaigns, the city’s waste management ecosystem still struggles to keep pace with its ever‑growing population and the sheer volume of waste produced daily. Without improvements in collection capacity, enforcement and public participation, the crisis is likely to persist, with attendant risks to health and wellbeing.
Experts also underscore that waste challenges intersect with other environmental pressures, including air pollution, flooding and coastal pollution, making integrated urban planning and sustainable waste policies critical to addressing the city’s broader environmental health outlook.
The mounting waste crisis in Lagos not only tests the capacity of local authorities but also serves as a stark reminder that environmental health is inseparable from public health. As the city continues to grapple with refuse overflow and sanitation gaps, urgent multi‑stakeholder action — stretching from government initiatives to grassroots behaviour change — will be essential to avert a worsening health emergency and safeguard the quality of life for millions of residents.
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