Lagos Is SMELLING: Why LAWMA Must Revive Its Mobile Policing to Rescue the City from Waste Crisis
By Amb. Oluwayomi Oluwapelumi
The once-bustling city of Lagos, often hailed as Nigeria’s economic powerhouse, is gradually losing its shine — buried under heaps of refuse and an alarming rise in environmental degradation. From the busy markets of Mushin to the residential estates in Lekki, no corner of the state seems spared. The stench of neglect now competes with the usual hum of city life, raising public concern over what many describe as a looming health and environmental disaster.
It is not just an eyesore; it is a reflection of systemic failure in urban waste management. Lagos is smelling — literally — and the need for an aggressive and coordinated response has never been more urgent.
The Fading Glory of Sanitation Discipline
There was a time when waste disposal in Lagos came with a sense of fear and responsibility. The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), through its once-active mobile policing initiative, ensured that offenders were caught, prosecuted, and made examples of. The fear of arrest was enough deterrent for residents and businesses alike to obey sanitation rules.
That era, unfortunately, seems to have faded. Today, street corners have turned into mini-dumpsites. Drainages are clogged with plastic waste, and markets now double as breeding grounds for flies and rodents. Even the highways, once swept daily by LAWMA operatives, now bear the marks of neglect — littered with sachet water nylon, food remains, and construction debris.
When the City Sleeps, the Waste Rises
Nighttime used to be LAWMA’s strongest hour. Surveillance teams patrolled the streets, arresting individuals and companies caught dumping refuse illegally. For example, in August 2024, an SUV driver and several others were apprehended by the LAWMA Policing Team for dumping waste in an unauthorized area. Similarly, in February 2025, an engineer was arrested at Egbeda-Akowonjo for night-time waste dumping — a clear signal that no one was above the law.
These decisive actions once kept Lagos in check. But the system appears to have slackened, and residents have taken advantage. Dumping waste at odd hours has returned, and with it, the degradation of public health and the environment.
Revisiting LAWMA’s Mobile Policing Framework
LAWMA’s mobile policing model was not just about punishment; it was a structured system that combined enforcement, collaboration, and awareness.
- Surveillance and Enforcement: Dedicated teams monitored streets day and night, identifying offenders and ensuring immediate action.
- Arrests and Prosecution: Offenders faced the law, often sentenced to community service or fined heavily to serve as deterrence.
- Collaboration: The operation worked hand-in-hand with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) to extend coverage and effectiveness.
- Public Sensitization: Beyond arrests, LAWMA invested in educating communities about proper waste disposal habits, instilling environmental responsibility in residents.
This approach worked because it combined discipline with education — a balance that made compliance a collective civic duty, not just a response to fear.
Why Lagos Needs a Waste Emergency Response
The current situation calls for more than routine waste collection — it demands policy revival. LAWMA must review its waste management policy and immediately reintroduce the mobile policing system. Waste management cannot thrive on voluntary compliance alone in a city of over 20 million people. Enforcement is key.
Government must declare an Environmental Sanitation Emergency, mobilize community stakeholders, and empower enforcement teams to act decisively. This also means investing in modern waste collection infrastructure, incentivizing recycling, and engaging citizens through consistent advocacy.
Citizens Also Have a Role
While LAWMA bears the brunt of criticism, residents must also accept responsibility. Waste management begins at home. Indiscriminate dumping, refusal to pay waste bills, and disregard for collection schedules are part of the problem. Environmental stewardship must be seen as a civic obligation — not an optional act of cleanliness.
A Call to Action
Lagos cannot afford to sink under its own waste. The state government and LAWMA must act with urgency to restore the city’s environmental dignity. Bringing back the LAWMA policing system — with stronger enforcement, renewed public sensitization, and accountability — could be the turning point.
Because when a city begins to smell, it’s not just the waste that’s rotting; it’s the system that’s failing.
#LagosCleanUp #LAWMA #EnvironmentalSanitation #SocietalConcerns #KeepLagosClean #LAGESC
Education is the key, that is, all schools must be involved. The should be thought to throw all waste in a bin. They the children should be told to inform their parents the inherent in the indiscriminate dumping of refuse carelessly.
On the arrest, most people involved in enforcing the cleaner environment are making money for themselves. Most markets in the state has KIA vehicles parked within. Yet, the markets are dirty. Simply because the officials were collecting money to look away. Some goes to the heads in the office, while the takes it by force.