As the world marks World Environment Day, Lagos’s Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, leads a comprehensive fight against plastic pollution with bans, infrastructure, and behaviour change, positioning the megacity as a blueprint for environmental reform in Africa

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s the world observes World Environment Day on June 5, under the theme “Ending Plastic Pollution,” Lagos’s plastic pollution fight stands out as a critical battle for survival.

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Nigeria’s bustling economic nerve centre, one of Africa’s largest megacities, grapples with an overwhelming daily waste output, a significant portion of which is plastic.

Few understand this urgency better than the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, whose bold and sometimes controversial reforms are actively reshaping the city’s waste management landscape.

The statistics paint a grim picture but offer clear direction. Lagos generates over 13,000 tonnes of waste daily.

A joint audit conducted in 2023 by the Lagos State Government, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and UN-Habitat revealed that Lagos residents collectively release approximately 34 kilograms of plastic into water systems per person annually.

This alarming figure is akin to every Lagosian discarding 10 plastic water bottles into the environment daily – a wake-up call consistently highlighted by Mr. Wahab and the state government.

“The data convinced us to stand up with our political will,” Mr. Wahab has famously stated, underscoring the administration’s commitment to implementing evidence-based policy over political convenience.

Since assuming office, Mr. Wahab has translated these dire statistics into decisive state action.

A landmark move was the 2024 ban on styrofoam (polystyrene foam), a non-biodegradable material notorious for clogging drainage systems, polluting canals, and blighting urban aesthetics.

This was not merely a symbolic gesture but the initial salvo in a broader war on single-use plastics (SUPs), with full enforcement of a wider ban slated to commence on July 1, 2025.

This upcoming phase-out will encompass items such as plastic straws, cutlery, certain types of nylon bags, and polystyrene cups.

Other plastics, including PET bottles and water sachets, will be regulated under an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model.

This sophisticated blend of prohibition, regulation, and corporate accountability was not hastily conceived but emerged from 18 months of extensive consultations with industry stakeholders, including the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) and Tetra Pak West Africa.

This collaborative approach underscores a vital principle: that meaningful environmental change necessitates partnership, not posturing.

However, regulation is only one aspect of the strategy. Recognizing the crucial need for robust infrastructure, Commissioner Wahab forged a strategic partnership with the Jospong Group’s ZoomLion Nigeria to overhaul the state’s waste logistics.

This comprehensive plan includes the construction of new Transfer Loading Stations (TLS) to alleviate pressure on strained landfills like Olusosun and Solous III, as well as the development of Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in Ikorodu and Badagry designed for sorting and recycling plastics.

According to the ministry, this initiative is projected to create over 5,000 jobs in the recycling and logistics sectors.

Under Wahab’s leadership, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has also significantly scaled up its operations.

The agency has increased its fleet of waste evacuation trucks, cleared numerous black spots, and enhanced the performance of Private Sector Participants (PSPs).

In collaboration with the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) brigade, LAWMA has intensified enforcement efforts, prosecuting individuals and entities for illegal dumping, open burning, and other environmental violations.

While some critics have voiced concerns about the harshness of certain enforcement tactics, the Commissioner maintains that sustained compliance is indispensable for achieving environmental sustainability.

Acknowledging that fundamental behaviour change is paramount, Wahab has spearheaded intensive public advocacy campaigns.

These campaigns leverage traditional media, digital platforms, and popular social influencers, with notable success in reaching younger audiences through skit makers like Taooma.

The data convinced us to stand up with our political will.

Town hall meetings and extensive community outreaches are also utilized to secure grassroots buy-in and foster public cooperation.

Environmental enforcement has been considerably strengthened, resulting in over 6,700 arrests between January and May 2025 for various environmental offenses, including highway crossing, open defecation, and illegal trading on pedestrian bridges.

Despite criticisms, the commissioner holds firm that effective sustainability is unattainable without adherence to regulations.

Beyond direct waste management, Wahab’s ministry has strategically linked plastic pollution to broader climate change and sanitation concerns.

Lagos has cleared over 600 kilometres of drainage channels, significantly reducing flood risks exacerbated by plastic waste.

The state has also constructed 1,710 public toilets, with an additional 250 currently under construction via Public-Private Partnerships.

Surveillance of private wastewater facilities has also been ramped up through the Lagos Wastewater Management Office (LASWMO).

Innovative flood-control efforts, such as the Ilubirin pumping station and new river gauging systems, exemplify Wahab’s systemic approach, which integrates solid waste management, sanitation, and urban resilience.

On the urban renewal front, the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) has planted over 54,000 trees, with ambitious plans to plant 50,000 more by 2026.

The agency is also transforming underutilized spaces into public green parks, thereby improving both air quality and the overall quality of life for residents.

These comprehensive efforts have garnered international attention, with UNEP and other global bodies highlighting Lagos as a compelling case study in evidence-based environmental reform.

The city’s active participation in the Global Plastics Hub ensures its alignment with international best practices and innovations in plastic pollution control.

While challenges persist—including illegal trading, low compliance from some manufacturers, and deeply entrenched attitudes among segments of the population—Lagos, under the decisive leadership of Governor Sanwo-Olu and the diligent oversight of Tokunbo Wahab, is demonstrating that environmental transformation is achievable when underpinned by strong political will, meticulous strategic planning, and active community engagement.

As the global spotlight intensifies on plastic pollution this World Environment Day, Lagos offers Africa’s megacities a practical and inspiring blueprint for systemic change.