Nigeria: LAWMA Seals Over 25 Buildings in Lagos Waste Crackdown

What the report says

Lagos waste officials on Sunday sealed more than 25 buildings, including a Mobil filling station, along Ago Palace Way in Okota during an enforcement drive over alleged environmental violations. The operation was carried out by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and led by its Managing Director, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, with support from the state environmental taskforce and the Kick Against Indiscipline team.

According to Premium Times via AllAfrica, the exercise also focused on clearing accumulated refuse from road medians and around bridge abutments, areas where officials said illegal dumping had become a repeated problem. LAWMA said some of the affected premises had illegal stalls on road setbacks or hosted street traders whose activities were linked to littering and improper waste disposal. The authority also reported arrests of some cart pushers for alleged illegal dumping.

One detained cart pusher, identified by the report as Shamusi Muritala, allegedly admitted to dumping waste on medians and said he collected fees from customers to dispose of refuse. The authority said he later asked for leniency. During the operation, LAWMA also tried to educate residents and traders on using approved waste collection channels.

The crackdown comes against the backdrop of earlier complaints from Ago Palace Way residents about overflowing refuse and delayed evacuation. More broadly, the action reflects Lagos authorities’ continuing campaign against illegal dumping and roadside trading, which they say can block movement, weaken public order and damage infrastructure.