Cities all throughout the world are assessing their environmental footprints as the world observes World Environment Day on June 5 with the theme “Ending Plastic Pollution.”
The problem of plastic garbage is more than simply an environmental issue for Lagos, Nigeria’s thriving commercial hub and one of Africa’s biggest megacities; it’s a struggle for survival.
Few people are more aware of this need than Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, whose audacious and occasionally contentious reforms are changing the way Lagos handles trash.
Although sobering, the facts are enlightening. Plastic makes up a sizable amount of the more than 13,000 tonnes of rubbish that Lagos produces every day. According to a 2023 joint audit conducted by UN-Habitat, the Lagos State Government, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), each Lagos resident contributes around 34 kg of plastic to water systems each year.
That is almost the same as ten plastic water bottles being thrown into the environment daily by every Lagosian. Mr. Wahab and the Lagos State Government have repeatedly stressed the data-supported wake-up call that the audit offered.
Mr. Wahab has stated that the administration is committed to enforcing policies based on facts rather than political expediency, saying, “The data convinced us to stand up with our political will.”
More than just raising alarms, Mr. Wahab has transformed statistics into governmental action since taking office. The 2024 ban on styrofoam (polystyrene foam), a non-biodegradable substance that has clogged gutters, contaminated canals, and defaced cityscapes for years, was arguably the most emblematic of these actions. This move wasn’t merely symbolic. It served as the first line of defense in a larger campaign against single-use plastics (SUPs), with a more comprehensive ban set to go into effect on July 1, 2025.
Plastic straws, cutlery, some nylon bags, and polystyrene cups will be phased out in the near future. PET bottles and water sachets will be subject to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations. It is a complex combination of corporate accountability, regulation, and prohibition that was developed over the course of 18 months of collaboration with industry participants, such as Tetra Pak West Africa and the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA). A crucial point is reaffirmed by this collaborative approach: cooperation, not posturing, is necessary for significant environmental change.
However, regulation is just one aspect of the problem. Understanding the value of infrastructure, Wahab arranged a strategic alliance with ZoomLion Nigeria of the Jospong Group to modernize the state’s waste management system. This involves developing Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in Ikorodu and Badagry to sift and recycle plastics, as well as Transfer Loading Stations (TLS) to ease the strain on overused landfills like Olusosun and Solous III. The ministry estimates that the program will generate more than 5,000 jobs in logistics and recycling.
Under his direction, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has also expanded. The organization has improved the performance of Private Sector Participants (PSPs), removed black spots, and expanded the number of garbage evacuation trucks. Additionally, LAWMA has increased enforcement operations by working with the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) brigade to prosecute environmental infractions such as open burning and illegal dumping.
People First: Fostering Consensus And Altering Behavior
Wahab has spearheaded extensive public advocacy campaigns utilizing traditional media, digital platforms, and social influencers because he understands how important it is to change behavior.
Younger audiences have been reached by campaigns led by skit creators like Taooma, while grassroots support is sought through town hall meetings and community engagement.
Enforcement of environmental laws has also been reinforced. More than 6,700 people were arrested between January and May 2025 for environmental offenses such as unauthorized commerce on pedestrian bridges, highway crossings, and open defecation. The commissioner has emphasized that sustainability is still elusive in the absence of compliance, despite criticism that some enforcement strategies are harsh.
Beyond waste, Wahab’s ministry has linked plastic pollution to wider climate and sanitation concerns. Lagos has cleared over 600 kilometres of drainage channels to reduce flood risks exacerbated by plastic waste. The state has also built 1,710 public toilets, with 250 more under construction via Public-Private Partnerships. Surveillance of private wastewater facilities has also been stepped up, through the Lagos Wastewater Management Office (LASWMO).
Innovative flood-control efforts, such as the Ilubirin pumping station and new river gauging systems, demonstrate Wahab’s systemic approach; integrating solid waste management, sanitation, and urban resilience.
On the urban renewal front, the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) has planted over 54,000 trees, with plans to plant 50,000 more by 2026. The agency is also converting underutilized spaces into public green parks to improve both air quality and quality of life.
These efforts have not gone unnoticed. UNEP and other international bodies have highlighted Lagos as a case study in evidence-based environmental reform. The city’s participation in the Global Plastics Hub ensures it remains aligned with best practices and global innovations in plastic pollution control.
Of course, there are still difficulties. The administration’s determination is still being put to the test by illegal trading, a lack of cooperation from certain producers, and deeply held beliefs among some citizens. Nevertheless, Lagos is demonstrating under Wahab’s leadership that environmental change is achievable with the support of political will, careful planning, and community involvement.
Lagos, under the resolute leadership of Governor Sanwo-Olu and the “watchdogging” of Tokunbo Wahab, is providing Africa’s megacities with a workable change plan as the world turns its attention to plastic pollution on June 5.
Although there is still a long way to go, the state is establishing an example that others would be well to follow with its unwavering dedication.
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