As Lagos joined the rest of the world to mark the 2026 World Cleanup Day, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) combined public sanitation activities with enforcement against illegal waste disposal.

Across strategic locations, including Igando Market, Badagry Roundabout, Olorunda and Lord Mayor’s Club in Badagry, as well as Oke-Afa Market in Isolo, LAWMA personnel, working with Green Janitors, cleared accumulated waste and undertook environmental sanitation activities.

At the same time, the authority intensified enforcement against individuals and businesses accused of violating waste management regulations, sealing premises along Ago Palace Way and arresting 11 persons for alleged illegal disposal of waste on Lagos Island.

The activities, which came amid renewed calls for greater public participation in environmental sanitation, highlighted the challenge of sustaining cleanliness beyond periodic cleanup exercises.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the World Cleanup Day activities demonstrated the authority’s commitment to sustained environmental sanitation, public participation and collective responsibility for environmental protection.

He said the cleanup covered markets, roads and other public spaces where LAWMA personnel and Green Janitors worked together to remove waste and improve the environmental condition of the affected areas.

According to him, the significance of World Cleanup Day extended beyond the physical removal of waste, as it provided an opportunity to remind residents, businesses, communities and corporate organisations of their responsibility to protect the environment.

Gbadegesin urged corporate organisations to support environmental sanitation, protection and the beautification of public spaces through their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

He said such partnerships could complement government efforts and help sustain improvements in communities and other public spaces across the state.

While the cleanup activities focused on restoring public spaces, the enforcement operations targeted those allegedly responsible for undermining sanitation efforts through improper waste disposal.

At Ago Palace Way, LAWMA sealed plazas, hotels, lounges and warehouses identified for persistent illegal dumping as part of efforts to tackle waste build-up and environmental nuisance on road setbacks, medians and other unauthorised spaces.

On Lagos Island, the enforcement operation covered Tinubu, Apongbon, Oke-Arin and CMC areas and resulted in the arrest of 11 persons for alleged unauthorised handling and illegal disposal of waste.

The arrested persons were identified as Shabban Tasiu, 20; Nkechukwu Nwokeji, 40; Kolawole Elija, 28; Sunni Sado, 30; Subairu Lawal, 28; Abi Lawal, 22; Sufianu Musa, 20; Yusuf Lawan, 18; Ahmed Lawal, 25; St. Peter Eze, 23; and Udo Richard, 32.