By Abbas Nazil
The Lagos State Government has announced the return of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise across the state, with the programme scheduled to officially resume on April 25, 2026.
The sanitation exercise will take place on the last Saturday of every month from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., according to a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
Authorities said the initiative is part of renewed efforts to promote a cleaner environment, improve waste management practices, and encourage residents to take greater responsibility for maintaining sanitation in their communities.
The programme, which had once been a routine activity in Lagos, was suspended in November 2016 during the administration of former governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
Before its suspension, the sanitation exercise typically held on the last Saturday of every month between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., with residents expected to participate by cleaning their surroundings and clearing drainage channels.
Reports at the time indicated that the programme was halted following a ruling by the Lagos Court of Appeal, which declared that restricting citizens’ movement during sanitation hours violated fundamental human rights.
Despite the suspension, environmental challenges such as poor waste disposal and flooding have continued to affect many parts of Lagos, prompting renewed discussions about the possible reintroduction of the sanitation exercise.
In 2024, the Lagos State Government began consultations on reviving the programme as concerns about environmental conditions and flooding risks increased in the state.
Officials later clarified that the reintroduced exercise would differ from the previous version by removing movement restrictions and instead encouraging voluntary participation from residents.
Announcing the new arrangement, Wahab stated that the sanitation exercise would officially restart on Saturday, April 25, 2026, marking the return of the long-standing civic programme after nearly a decade.
He urged residents of the state to actively participate by cleaning their surroundings, clearing drainage systems in front of their homes, and ensuring that household waste is disposed of properly.
Government officials explained that the exercise is designed not only to promote environmental cleanliness but also to help reduce flooding and other sanitation-related problems that frequently affect Lagos communities.
Authorities also emphasized that community cooperation will be essential for the programme’s success, stressing that maintaining a clean environment is a shared responsibility among residents, businesses, and government agencies.
The government further noted that the sanitation exercise forms part of its broader commitment to building a cleaner, healthier, and more environmentally resilient Lagos.
Officials added that although participation is expected to be voluntary, the initiative will still be supported by enforcement measures from relevant state agencies to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
