No Going Back: Lagos Government Set to Relocate Major Dump Sites, Decommission Olusosun Within 18 Months
The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to the planned relocation of major dump sites within the metropolis, including those at Olusosun, Epe, and Alimosho.
The State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, made this known while presenting the scorecard of the Ministry over the past year during the ongoing 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at Alausa, Ikeja.
Wahab emphasized that having landfill sites within the city is outdated, stressing that the government is determined to align with global best practices in waste management.
He disclosed that the state remains committed to decommissioning the Olusosun dump site within the next eighteen months, as part of its long-term environmental reform agenda.
Responding to complaints about foul smells in some parts of Lagos, Wahab acknowledged the concerns but disagreed with generalizations that the entire state stinks. He assured residents that practical steps are being taken to tackle the issue.
He also condemned the actions of some residents who dump refuse on road medians and other unauthorized locations, describing the behavior as unacceptable.
On the issue of plastic waste, the Commissioner said the sale of nylon bags at shopping malls and centers was intentional—to discourage the use of single-use plastics, which are a major contributor to flooding in the state.
Wahab strongly believes that a livable Lagos is attainable if residents adhere to the state’s environmental laws.
In a bid to eliminate open defecation, the Commissioner revealed that the state government is constructing an additional 150 public toilets, in addition to the 250 already being developed through a Public-Private Partnership under the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiative.
He concluded that these efforts are in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which aims to ensure access to water and sanitation for all.
