The Acting Chairman of Agege Local Government, Hon. Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform Agege into the cleanest Local Government Council in Nigeria.
He made this declaration on Friday, August 29, 2025, while addressing a broad coalition of stakeholders at the Environmental Sanitation and Waste Disposal Stakeholders’ Meeting held at the Council Secretariat.
The high-level forum brought together Public Service Providers (PSP), Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), community leaders, youth representatives, religious institutions, safety corps, environmental officers, and ethnic associations to deliberate on best practices, operational challenges, and collaborative solutions for improved environmental management in Agege.
In his welcome address, the Head of Environmental Department, Sanitarian Odu Olufemi, painted a sobering picture of the current state of sanitation in Agege. He expressed disappointment at the indiscriminate disposal of refuse, the poor attitude of some residents towards maintaining hygiene, and the hostility often faced by environmental staff in the line of duty.
He emphasized that environmental officers are not enemies of the people but partners in building a healthier community. According to him, the negative attitude of harassing environmental personnel must stop, as it demoralizes staff and hinders their effectiveness.
Sanitarian Olufemi Odu,further highlighted critical gaps in waste management, including irregular compliance with refuse disposal times, limited infrastructure for waste evacuation, and the urgent need to strengthen PSP operations. He charged stakeholders to embrace a culture of cleanliness as a civic duty rather than seeing it as government’s sole responsibility.
“This meeting is not just a formality,” he noted. “It is an opportunity for us to collectively identify what is not working, improve what is working, and build a sustainable framework that will guarantee a cleaner, safer Agege for generations to come.”
The Council Manager, Mr.Adeshina Osikoya Sogo, also spoke passionately about the importance of collective responsibility in achieving a clean environment. He commended the Acting Chairman for demonstrating clear leadership and prioritizing sanitation since assuming office, noting that such commitment must be matched with equal support from residents and stakeholders.
Mr. Adeshina Sogo Osikoya identified indiscriminate dumping of refuse in canals, drainage systems, and open spaces as a major cause of flooding and environmental hazards in Agege. He warned that unless residents change their attitude, government’s investments in waste management will not yield the desired results.
He therefore called on all stakeholders,PSP operators, community leaders, religious bodies, and youth associations to work hand in hand with the administration to curb indiscriminate waste disposal. According to him, the administration’s renewed sanitation drive represents a collective battle for public health, safety, and dignity of the community.
“This administration cannot win this fight alone. It requires the active participation of every household, every street, and every organization in Agege. Environmental sanitation is the foundation of public health, and once we get it right, other aspects of development will flourish.”
Taking the conversation further, the Legislative Arm of Agege Local Government, comprising seven councillors representing the seven wards of the Council, spoke in unison to affirm their commitment to the new sanitation agenda.
Leading the charge, the Leader of the House, Hon. Adesina Haruna, commended the Acting Chairman for convening such a strategic stakeholders’ meeting, describing it as a “timely intervention” that reflects responsive and participatory governance. He stressed that the Legislative Council would not only provide moral support but also legislative backing by enacting by-laws that would enforce strict compliance with environmental regulations.
Each of the seven councillors echoed the same position, emphasizing that environmental sanitation must be taken as a community-wide obligation rather than the sole duty of government. They pledged to take the sensitization campaign back to their respective wards, mobilizing residents, community leaders, and grassroots associations to buy into the agenda of a cleaner Agege.
Collectively, the legislators underscored the importance of enforcement as the backbone of environmental reform. They assured that necessary sanctions would be legislated for offenders who persist in indiscriminate dumping, while incentives would be considered for households and communities that maintain compliance with sanitation laws.
The voice of the people was strongly represented, with the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Alhaji Omodele Moruff, opening the floor for community contributions. He applauded the initiative of convening the meeting, stressing that communities are not opposed to government policies once clear structures are in place. He assured the Acting Chairman that residents would follow government’s lead if provided with workable solutions and consistent enforcement.
Following his remarks, about ten residents from different wards of Agege shared their perspectives ,ranging from complaints about irregular refuse collection, late or missed PSP services, and poor access to waste disposal trucks in inner streets, to solutions such as siting more community collection points, subsidizing bins for low-income households, and organizing ward-level monitoring groups.
Some residents lamented the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drains and canals, warning that it contributes to flooding during the rainy season. Others called for stronger enlightenment campaigns in schools, mosques, churches, and marketplaces to change the culture of waste disposal at the grassroots.
A recurring concern among residents was the hostility between PSP staff and community members, which often escalates into disputes. They urged the Local Government to intervene in bridging the communication gap between service providers and residents, ensuring mutual respect and accountability.
Responding to the concerns raised by residents, the PSP representative,acknowledged the challenges and offered clarifications. They explained that limited numbers of operational trucks, rising maintenance costs, and road inaccessibility in certain neighborhoods sometimes delay waste collection. They added that irregular payments from households also contribute to service disruptions, as many residents default on their subscription fees.
While assuring residents of their commitment to efficiency, the PSP representative stressed that waste management cannot succeed without community cooperation. They pledged to review their routes and schedules to improve coverage and promised closer communication with community leaders to ensure complaints are promptly addressed.
The LAWMA representative complemented the PSP’s position by situating Agege’s challenges within Lagos State’s broader waste management framework. He acknowledged the frustrations of residents but emphasized that sustainable waste management requires joint responsibility.
He stressed that issues such as non-segregation of waste at source, indiscriminate roadside dumping, and vandalization of community bins continue to undermine the system. According to him, LAWMA is committed to supporting Agege with technical expertise, policy alignment, and monitoring structures, but residents must also embrace behavioral change.
“Agege has what it takes to lead by example,” he affirmed. “LAWMA is ready to partner with this administration to ensure that Agege becomes a model of cleanliness in Lagos State and beyond.”
In his keynote address, the Acting Executive Chairman, Hon. Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, reaffirmed his bold vision to make Agege the cleanest Local Government in Nigeria. While acknowledging the enormity of the task, he stressed that the determination of his administration, coupled with the cooperation of residents, would make this vision a reality.
“Our vision for Agege is simple but profound, a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous community where every resident feels a sense of pride in their environment. Cleanliness is the foundation of public health, productivity, and dignity. If we can win the battle against filth, then we can confidently win the battles for progress in every other sector,” he declared.
The Acting Chairman unveiled multi-pronged strategies to achieve this transformation:
Recruitment of additional street sweepers to cover all streets and alleys.
Mandatory household waste bins, with subsidies for low-income families.
Establishment of an environmental taskforce with security backing.
Quarterly stakeholder forums to track progress and foster accountability.
Aggressive environmental awareness campaigns in schools, markets, churches, and mosques.
Regular drainage desilting to prevent flooding.
Strengthened partnership with LAWMA and PSP to improve efficiency and explore recycling opportunities.
Monitoring and accountability framework to ensure every actor fulfills their role.
“This administration is not here to make excuses, but to make changes. We will clean Agege, we will empower Agege, and we will transform Agege into a community where dignity, opportunity, and safety are guaranteed for all. But government alone cannot achieve this. The greatness of Agege lies in the hands of her people. Together, we will write a new story,one that our children will look back on with pride.”
The meeting ended with a standing ovation and a collective pledge of cooperation from all stakeholders, signaling the dawn of a renewed sanitation revolution and broader development agenda for Agege Local Government.
