Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has directed an immediate expansion of waste evacuation operations across the state following growing concerns over the accumulation of refuse in several communities.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, the state government acknowledged residents’ concerns and assured them that urgent measures were being taken to address the situation.

According to the statement, the governor has instructed all relevant agencies and waste management service providers to intensify operations and work around the clock to clear refuse backlogs and restore sanitation in affected areas.

The government said additional resources have been deployed to support ongoing evacuation efforts, while new measures are being introduced to improve the efficiency of waste collection and disposal across the state.

Sanwo-Olu also directed key environmental agencies, including the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), to strengthen their response.

The statement noted that Lagos, as one of Africa’s largest and fastest-growing cities, generates approximately 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, placing significant pressure on waste management systems.

While acknowledging occasional operational challenges, the government maintained that it has the capacity to effectively manage the situation and has already recorded progress in several parts of the state.

“We wish to reassure residents that this challenge is temporary. Substantial progress is already being recorded in several locations, and more improvements will become visible across the state in the days ahead,” the statement said.

The government further appealed to residents, market associations, community leaders and business owners to support sanitation efforts by disposing of waste responsibly and avoiding actions that obstruct roads, drainage channels and designated collection points.

Reaffirming its commitment to environmental sustainability and public health, the state government said it remains focused on delivering a cleaner, safer and more resilient Lagos through sustained investment in waste management infrastructure and urban renewal programmes.