The Oyo State Government has unveiled plans to introduce the “Cleanest Market of the Month Award” across markets in the state beginning from July 2026, as part of efforts to promote environmental sanitation, healthy living, and effective market management.

Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto, stated this while hosting market leaders from across the state at the Conference Hall of the Ministry.

Aderinto urged the market leaders to effectively coordinate their members and ensure strict compliance with environmental sanitation practices, noting that the monthly assessment will be based on key criteria, including the level of cleanliness, effective waste management, proper organization of the market, and consistent compliance with the state’s daily environmental sanitation policy.

He emphasised that daily environmental sanitation across all markets will constitute a major condition, alongside other assessment criteria, in determining the winner of the Cleanest Market of the Month Award.

The commissioner explained that the initiative is designed to encourage healthy competition among markets, improve hygiene standards, enhance their attractiveness, and boost economic activities.

He assured the market leaders that the Ministry would continue to support and encourage markets that consistently comply with environmental sanitation regulations.

As part of this commitment, Aderinto disclosed that he would personally join markets that demonstrate outstanding compliance during their routine environmental sanitation exercises as a mark of recognition and encouragement.