The Lagos State Government has announced the resumption of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise across the state, nearly a decade after the programme was suspended.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the exercise will restart on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
According to the commissioner, the sanitation exercise will hold on the last Saturday of every month between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., as part of renewed efforts by the government to maintain a cleaner and healthier environment in the state.
Wahab said residents are expected to participate actively by cleaning their surroundings, clearing drainage channels around their homes and ensuring proper waste disposal.
“I am pleased to inform all Lagosians that the monthly environmental sanitation exercise will resume effective Saturday, April 25, 2026, holding on the last Saturday of every month from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.,” the statement read.
The sanitation exercise was suspended in November 2016 during the administration of former governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.
Before its suspension, the programme was held on the last Saturday of each month between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., often accompanied by restrictions on movement across the state.
However, the exercise was halted following a ruling by the Lagos Court of Appeal, which reportedly declared the restriction of movement during sanitation hours illegal and a violation of citizens’ fundamental rights.
The state government had in 2024 initiated consultations on the possibility of reintroducing the sanitation exercise amid growing environmental concerns in the state.
Authorities had clarified at the time that the revived programme would not include the previous restriction of movement but would instead focus on encouraging voluntary participation by residents.
Explaining the rationale behind the decision, Wahab said the exercise was designed to promote civic responsibility among residents and support efforts to tackle flooding and other environmental challenges in the state.
He emphasised that community participation would be crucial to achieving the government’s goal of building a cleaner and flood-resilient city.
“During this period, residents are enjoined to clean their surroundings, clear drainage channels in their frontages and dispose of waste properly as a civic responsibility,” the statement added.
“This exercise is a collective responsibility and a vital part of our commitment to a cleaner, healthier and flood-resilient Lagos, and it shall be backed with the full enforcement weight of the Lagos State Government.”
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