Lagos is drowning in plastic, but it is also fighting back harder than most, if not all, states in Nigeria.
As the global alarm over plastic pollution grows louder, the country’s commercial capital has taken steps to curb the crisis: banning Styrofoam, outlawing flimsy plastic bags, and launching state-wide clean-up campaigns.
EDITOR’S PICKS
As the world marked World Environment Day 2025, themed “Ending Plastic Pollution”, on Wednesday, Lagos stood out not just in ceremony but in substance.
At the heart of the commemoration was a state-wide programme held across its five administrative divisions, anchored by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and monitored by EKO HOT BLOG.
Speaking at the Ifako Ijaiye Secretariat, the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, represented by Engr Adefemi Afolabi, General Manager of the Lagos Wastewater Management Office, emphasised that plastic pollution is not just a local nuisance but a global emergency that endangers ecosystems and human health.
“Plastic waste clogs our waterways, litters our streets, and seeps into our oceans,” Wahab stated. “Two-thirds of these plastics are short-lived products that end up as waste and eventually find their way into the human food chain.”
It is a grim reality for a state with an extensive coastline, growing urban sprawl, and high consumption rates. But Lagos is not just lamenting the problem, it is actively dismantling it.
Concrete Steps: Bans, Campaigns and Circular Thinking
The state government has enacted a ban on Styrofoam packaging and plastic bags thinner than 40 micrometres, demonstrating a decisive move towards responsible production and consumption. These items, commonly used by street vendors and fast-food outlets, often evade proper disposal systems and contribute disproportionately to plastic waste in drains, canals and oceans.
Beyond regulatory action, Lagos is working to build a circular economy. Residents are being encouraged to abandon single-use plastics in favour of biodegradable and reusable alternatives, championing a zero-waste lifestyle. The Environmental Education and Advocacy programme, launched by the Ministry, aims to deepen public understanding and inspire grassroots behaviour change.
“Plastic takes 500 to 1,000 years to decompose,” Wahab warned. “We must unite to break our addiction to plastic and protect the planet for future generations.”
The Human Cost of Inaction on Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution is not just an aesthetic or marine-life issue. It is a public health crisis. In his welcome remarks, Dr Tajudeen Gaji, Permanent Secretary in the Office of Environmental Services, explained the dangerous consequences of unmanaged plastic waste.
Delivered through Mrs Warees Sholanke of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Gaji’s message linked plastic-clogged drainages to flooding and the outbreak of waterborne diseases. Worse still, the burning of plastic releases toxic fumes, affecting respiratory health, especially among children and the elderly.
“Creating a cleaner, healthier and more resilient Lagos is our ultimate goal,” he said, calling on the private sector to invest in sustainable packaging and responsible waste disposal systems.
FURTHER READING
Lagos’s approach aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), Goal 14 (Life Below Water), and Goal 15 (Life on Land). It also speaks to a larger African and global concern about how fast-growing cities can mitigate the environmental damage that often accompanies urbanisation.
Philip Ibitoye is a Special Correspondent with EKO HOT BLOG. Click here to find daily analysis and critical insight on trending issues in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
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