- LASEPA Seeks FG Partnership to Strengthen Industrial Pollution Control in Lagos
- Fajana Mary, a 300-level Mass Communication student of Lagos State University (LASU), emerged winner of the competition
- Ajayi said there is a growing need for stronger federal-state coordination
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency) has called on the Federal Government to strengthen collaboration with the state in tightening regulations and enforcement against industrial pollution across Nigeria.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the General Manager of LASEPA, Babatunde Ajayi, made the appeal on Tuesday during the grand finale of the 2026 Inter-Tertiary Institutions Environmental Summit and Debate Competition held in Lagos.
The debate was themed: “Combating Transboundary Pollution in Lagos State: A city-level intervention or a national effort.”
Ajayi said there is a growing need for stronger federal-state coordination, especially in regulating industrial emissions and enforcing environmental standards across the South-West and the country at large.
“The Federal Government needs to tighten regulations and enforcement across South-West and Nigeria. We know it is a difficult job, but it needs to partner more with states to tighten regulations, particularly for industrial pollution,” he said.
He explained that the debate initiative was designed to engage young people and students in environmental discourse, stressing that universities remain key spaces for innovation and solution development.
According to him, the theme was inspired by recent pollution incidents recorded along the Lagos-Ogun industrial corridor, which exposed gaps in environmental monitoring and enforcement.
Ajayi added that Lagos State has since strengthened its monitoring systems, introducing early warning and response mechanisms to improve oversight of industrial activities, particularly in border communities.
“We thought it was important that we start this conversation at the tertiary institutions level because globally, sound ideas and innovation start in universities. We think that the brightest minds are in these institutions,” he noted.
Also speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Olakunle Akodu, commended LASEPA for its consistent engagement with young people through environmental advocacy programmes.
He said such initiatives are crucial to building a generation of environmentally conscious citizens capable of supporting Lagos’ vision for a cleaner and more sustainable environment under the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Akodu also urged LASEPA to sustain its efforts in implementing environmental protection policies and pollution control strategies across the state.
Over 300 students participated in the competition, with six finalists emerging for the grand debate.
Fajana Mary, a 300-level Mass Communication student of Lagos State University (LASU), emerged winner of the competition, while Yakub Abdulah Eniola of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) came second, and Daniel Oluwatise Akinkuowo, also of UNILAG, placed third.
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