Lagos Ministry urges citizens to adopt a cleanliness culture, highlighting public toilets, prosecutions, and incentive programmes
Tokunbo Wahab has emphasised that building a culture of cleanliness is more important than enforcing compliance in Lagos State.
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Speaking in an interview on sanitation efforts, Commissioner Wahab said the government is providing facilities and increasing capacity, but citizens must adopt the practice voluntarily.
“Measures must be in place that people are convinced about cleanliness. We are not trying to force them,” he said. “Things are going south on a daily basis, so we must build the culture.”
Over the past year, the ministry has prosecuted more than 8,000 people, some for open defecation, while maintaining more than 7,000 public toilets across the state.
Additional facilities are under construction, with non-governmental organisations applying to support the effort.
Wahab highlighted plans to incentivise local councils through environmental sanitation exercises. “We are going to publicise it, and that is going to be the incentive to stay clean,” he said, adding that recognition will reward the cleanest Local Council Development Areas and communities.
The Commissioner also noted that the government is increasing awareness campaigns at schools, markets, and residential areas to instil proper hygiene practices across Lagos.
These initiatives include training for sanitation workers, deployment of mobile waste collection units, and partnerships with civil society organisations to ensure community engagement.
“The people must imbibe the culture. Providing toilets and cleaning services is only one part of the solution. Education, awareness, and incentives will drive lasting change,” Wahab said.
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The initiative aims to change public perception and encourage voluntary participation, combining enforcement with positive reinforcement to improve environmental standards across the state.
