Korede Abdullah 
Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Tokunbo Wahab
LAGOS, Nigeria – Lagos authorities prosecute more than 8,000 residents within one year for environmental offences, including open defecation, as the state intensifies enforcement to curb poor sanitation practices.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirms the figure during a televised interview on Tuesday, stressing that Lagos adopts a dual strategy of enforcement and public reorientation to tackle the crisis.
“We combine enforcement with awareness because without behavioural change, enforcement alone becomes ineffective,” Wahab says.
Despite significant infrastructure investment, authorities report persistent non-compliance. The state currently operates over 1,710 public toilets and an additional 8,000 facilities in eateries and fuel stations.
Wahab cites Berger as a hotspot where offenders ignore available facilities. “Modern toilets exist, yet some deliberately defecate in open spaces. Once arrests began, compliance improved significantly,” he adds.
The government also advances broader environmental reforms, including waste management improvements and flood control initiatives. Officials confirm plans to phase out major landfill sites such as Olusosun and Solous 3 within 18 to 24 months, replacing them with new facilities in Epe and Badagry.
Authorities deploy artificial intelligence-based flood warning systems and maintain strict bans on waste burning.
“We may not see instant results, but without the right culture, our investments risk failure,” Wahab warns.
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Chukwu Obinna 
Oluwatobi Adu 
