The Oyo State Government has unveiled an environmental whistleblower programme to curb indiscriminate waste disposal and other environmental infractions, as part of renewed efforts to address the growing sanitation challenges across the state.

Governor Seyi Makinde, who launched the initiative in Ibadan, said the scheme would empower residents to report environmental violations and receive rewards for verified information. The governor, represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, described the programme as a strategic shift towards citizen-driven environmental governance.

The launch, held at the Local Government Staff Training School, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan, drew top government officials, traditional rulers, market leaders and environmental stakeholders.

Makinde noted that while the government had invested in waste management infrastructure, including the procurement of additional waste trucks and the development of more structured disposal systems, progress had been hampered by persistent acts of indiscriminate dumping, blockages of drainage channels and illegal construction on waterways.

“To address these challenges, we have introduced a whistleblower programme that allows citizens to report environmental hazards through multiple platforms, including WhatsApp, telephone lines and dedicated mobile applications,” he said.

According to him, the digital framework is designed to ensure a real-time response, with reports transmitted instantly to the relevant authorities for swift enforcement action, thereby eliminating the bureaucratic delays traditionally associated with written complaints.

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Ademola Aderinto, said the initiative goes beyond reporting environmental infractions, adding that it introduces incentives to encourage public participation.

“We are not just encouraging reporting; we are rewarding it,” Aderinto said. “We want residents to be the eyes of the Governor in their communities. This is about sanity, not just sanitation.”

He assured residents that all whistleblower reports would be handled with strict confidentiality to protect identities and encourage widespread participation.

“We guarantee confidentiality. Everyone who supports this initiative will be protected and rewarded,” he added.

Providing further insight into the operational framework, the State Lead Consultant on the Informal Sector, Mr. Olabode Ajetunmobi, described the system as simple and citizen-driven.

“You see something, you say something,” he said, explaining that the programme would operate through two channels: dedicated enforcement personnel monitoring environmental violations and voluntary citizen participation via digital reporting platforms.

Ajetunmobi expressed confidence in the state’s technological infrastructure, noting that the system can process large volumes of reports simultaneously. He added that the initiative aligns with the administration’s ambition to position Oyo as the cleanest state in Nigeria, drawing inspiration from Kigali, widely regarded as one of Africa’s cleanest cities.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment and Ecology, Hon. Cephas Olorunpoto, commended the executive for the initiative and pledged legislative backing to strengthen environmental enforcement.

Stakeholders at the event agreed that collective responsibility would be critical to the programme’s success. Government officials stressed that environmental cleanliness remains central to attracting investment, generating employment and restoring Oyo’s reputation as the Pacesetter State.