Lagos Government Announces ₦250,000 Fine for Environmental Offences Starting July 1
The Lagos state government has issued a stern warning. Starting July 1, 2025, anyone caught dumping refuse, littering streets, or defacing the city’s environment will face a ₦250,000 fine or three months behind bars. The Lagos State Government says it will no longer tolerate illegal waste dumping, littering, and environmental defacement. It’s a bold move to protect the city’s environment and uphold public health.
At a press briefing held on June 3, 2025, at the Alausa Secretariat in Ikeja, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the announcement loud and clear. “Lagos will no longer tolerate deliberate environmental abuse,” he said. “Anyone caught dumping refuse illegally, littering, or defacing our environment will face the full wrath of the law.” Wahab warned serial offenders will face even stiffer penalties.
The government’s message is clear: obey environmental laws or pay the price. According to Wahab, the ministry has already arrested over 3,000 offenders. “We won’t drop the ball. We’re ramping up enforcement and sensitization,” he said. Agencies like LAWMA and KAI are working round the clock to arrest, prosecute, and name and shame offenders.
Residents have been warned to stop patronizing cart pushers who are notorious for illegal waste disposal. “The ban on cart pushers has not been lifted,” Wahab emphasized. “They are the ones who dump waste indiscriminately across the state. We’re sealing up illegal sites and prosecuting offenders.” He stressed that registered PSP operators remain the only approved channel for waste disposal.
Wahab didn’t stop there. He put developers on notice. Those who dump building materials on drains or roads will see their sites sealed up and will be prosecuted. “We’ve already prosecuted thousands. This is just the beginning,” he said.
The Lagos State Government’s efforts align with the World Environment Day theme, “Ending Plastic Pollution.” The commissioner noted that the state’s 18-month moratorium on single-use plastics and Styrofoam food packs has ended. The ban kicks in fully on July 1. “There is no going back,” Wahab said. “After an 18-month moratorium to producers, distributors, and users, we will enforce the ban on single-use plastics and Styrofoam food packs.”
The government is urging residents to play their part in keeping the environment clean. “All generated waste should be sorted, bagged, and handed over to the approved PSP operators,” Wahab advised. He also urged residents to be extra mindful during the upcoming Sallah festivities. “As we celebrate Sallah, let’s do so with cleanliness and responsibility,” he said.
Residents must act responsibly and stop treating environmental laws like optional suggestions. The consequences for non-compliance are no longer a slap on the wrist. “This is about saving our environment for us and for the generations to come,” Wahab said.
Illegal waste disposal and other environmental infractions have long plagued Lagos, contributing to flooding, public health hazards, and blocked drainage systems. With this new enforcement, the government aims to change that narrative. “We all have a duty to protect our Lagos,” Wahab said. “The time for change is now!”
Environmental activists say the penalties are a step in the right direction, but they warn that proper waste disposal services must be accessible and efficient to ensure compliance. Meanwhile, some residents worry about how the crackdown will affect informal waste pickers and small businesses.
The streets of Lagos are about to get cleaner, and those who refuse to follow the rules will pay a steep price. From July 1, bag your waste, use your assigned PSP operator, and keep Lagos clean or risk a ₦250,000 fine or jail time.
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