We Clean Lagos, But They Treat Us Like Trash” — LAWMA Sweepers Lament

Sweepers under the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) have cried out over alleged poor treatment and harsh working conditions. The workers said despite their critical role in keeping Lagos clean, they face irregular payments, lack of welfare support, and little respect. According to them, the situation has left many struggling to survive, even as they continue to work daily to maintain environmental hygiene across the state.

Lagos Driver Arrested After Commercial Bus Kills LAWMA Female Worker While Reversing on Meiran Expressway

A female operative of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has lost her life in a tragic road accident along Meiran Road, inward Iyana Ekoro axis of Lagos, while carrying out routine sanitation duties. According to preliminary investigations, a blue Ford commercial bus transporting bottled and canned beverages was reversing on the expressway when it struck the LAWMA sweeper, causing fatal injuries. Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) swiftly responded to the distress call, arrested the driver who attempted to flee, and handed him over to the Meiran Police Division for investigation. Authorities described the incident as preventable, condemned reversing on expressways as a serious traffic offence, and expressed condolences to the victim’s family as investigations continue.

Truck Driver Kills 19-Year-Old Nigerian Student After Running Red Light in Canada.

A 19-year-old Nigerian student, identified as Marvelous Ugochukwu, has tragically d+ed in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, after a truck driver ran a red light and crashed into multiple structures, including a bus shelter where she was waiting.

The fatal incident occurred at the intersection of Dewdney Avenue and Elphinstone Street last Sunday. Witnesses told Peoples Gazette that the truck driver was attempting to beat a red light when he lost control, slamming into a car, a bus stop shelter, a fence, and a light pole.

“She was just sitting at the bus stop when the truck hit her. It was a horrific scene,” a witness recounted.

According to reports, emergency responders pronounced Ms. Ugochukwu dead at the scene, while the car’s driver was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. Regina Police officers quickly shut down the busy intersection and took the truck driver into custody for questioning.

A local waste management firm, Just Bins, which first broke the story on Facebook, confirmed the sequence of events, adding that police were investigating the crash.

The tragic death has sent shockwaves through the Regina community, particularly among Nigerian students in the area. A GoFundMe campaign has since been launched to assist the Ugochukwu family with funeral and legal expenses, while a candlelight procession in her honor is scheduled for today.

Skilled Truckers Canada also mourned the young student on its Facebook page, with many commenters expressing condolences and calling for justice.

Lagos LG begins arrest, Prosecution of illegal waste dumping offenders.

Ibeju-lekki (Lagos State), Sept. 16, 2025(NAN) Mr Sesan Olowa, Chairman, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State, says the council’s ‘Arrest and Prosecute ‘ offenders, who illegally and indiscriminately dump wastes on streets had begun.

The chairman also disclosed that the council arrested five people for allegedly dumping wastes indiscriminately and they had been charged to Court.

He disclosed this on Tuesday at a news conference in Ibeju-Lekki, warning that no offender would be spared.

Olowa said the council’s warning period is over, explaining displeasure that all the warnings against indiscriminate dumping of refuse were defied by residents and would now take action to stop the infractions.

He said that Ibeju-Lekki declared zero-tolerance on environmental infractions, stressing that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

According to him, illegal waste disposal poses serious health hazards, causes flooding, and undermines the government’s efforts to promote a cleaner and healthier environment.

The chairman urged residents, market women, traders, and business operators to embrace proper waste management practices and ensure that their refuse are disposed of, through approved channels.

He added that the council had intensified collaboration with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to ensure prompt evacuation of refuse and to monitor compliance across communities in the area.

Rivers Sole Administrator makes fresh appointment.

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired) on Wednesday appointed chairmen and members of eight boards of the Rivers State University Governing Council.

The newly appointed members will be chaired by Okey Wali, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Ibas also made similar appointments for the members of the board of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.

In this case, Sampson Parker, a former Rivers State commissioner for health will serve as chairman.

Also, the Chief Medical Director,Chizindu Alikor will retain his position.

Samuel Nwanosike, an associate of the former governor Nyesom Wike was appointed as the chairman of the board of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency.

Nwanosike had earlier served as the chairman of the Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.

Also, Wokoma Amakiri was appointed managing director.

Mahmood Adegbite, the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Office of Drainage Services, has raised alarm over water safety concerns in the Lekki area, stating that many residents who rely on boreholes may unknowingly be consuming contaminated water.

Speaking at a recent stakeholders meeting, Adegbite said, “Anyone digging a borehole in Lekki is probably drinking what I’ll call ‘sh+t water.’” He explained that untreated wastewater in the area is seeping into the groundwater, posing serious health risks to residents.

He attributed the ongoing challenges to complex environmental factors, including unusually heavy rainfall during the August break. Despite ongoing investments in drainage infrastructure, he acknowledged that more needs to be done.

Adegbite noted that the state has plans to improve wastewater treatment in the Lekki axis. “If we are able to treat all the wastewater in this area as planned, we should be able to eliminate diseases that result from the current poor waste management,” he added.

Anyone Drilling Borehole in Lekki Is Likely drinking **** water Lagos Official Warns

Mahmood Adegbite, the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Office of Drainage Services, has raised alarm over water safety concerns in the Lekki area, stating that many residents who rely on boreholes may unknowingly be consuming contaminated water.

Speaking at a recent stakeholders meeting, Adegbite said, "Anyone digging a borehole in Lekki is probably drinking what I'll call 'sh+t water." He explained that untreated wastewater in the area is seeping into the groundwater, posing serious health risks to residents.

He attributed the ongoing challenges to complex environmental factors, including unusually heavy rainfall during the August break. Despite ongoing investments in drainage infrastructure, he acknowledged that more needs to be done.

Adegbite noted that the state has plans to improve wastewater treatment in the Lekki axis. "If we are able to treat all the wastewater in this area as planned, we should be able to eliminate diseases that result from the current poor waste management," he added.

Eight years later, ‘illegal’ waste collectors resume operations in Lagos.

LAWMA accuses residents of indebtedness, increases enforcement efforts
Illegal waste collectors, such as cart pushers and wheel barrow operators, have returned to Lagos State despite being banned by the state government eight years ago.

This resurgence has led to an increase in dump sites due to the reduction of PSP operators in the state.

In 2018, the Lagos State government banned the operations of cart pushers and wheel barrow operators, citing their negative impact on environmental cleanliness.

Cart pushers were specially blamed for being responsible for illegal waste dumping in canals and road medians at night, leading to flooding and environmental issues.


The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, declared a zero policy for environmental infractions in June 2025.

He warned that anyone caught illegally dumping wastes or littering the environment would face fine of up to N250,000 or three months imprisonment under the Lagos Sanitation Environmental Law Provisions.

But despite arrests and threats, residents continue to create illegal dump sites, especially on unoccupied land.

Dump sites have been observed from Lagos Mainland to the Island and the Ajah area, appearing on highways and inner streets.

While PSP’s activities have decreased, some residents fail to pay their waste bills.

Since June 15, 2025, PSP operators have only collected waste twice in areas like Isolo, Ago and Mile 2.

This lack of service has frustrated residents like Ernest Alao, who question the agency’s action.
Residents are turning to illegal waste disposal due to the lack of proper waste management services.

In response to concerns, LAWMA Spokesperson, Folashade Kadiri, assured residents that efforts are being made to address the challenges.

“The agency is advocating for residents to use accredited PSP operators and educating communities on proper waste disposal.

“Enforcement has been increased in collaboration with relevant agencies to address illegal dumping.
“LAWMA is cracking down on cart pushers and deploying surveillance personnel to monitor trouble spots.

“The agency is working to dismantle the network of illegal waste collectors and restore environmental cleanliness in Lagos.”

Six Jailed For Illegal Waste Disposal In Lagos
Six Jailed For Illegal Waste Disposal In Lagos.

Six individuals were on Wednesday sentenced to one month in prison for illegal waste disposal in Lagos.

According to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the agency’s enforcement team apprehended two of the offenders at Egbeda for dumping refuse on the road median and four others at Dopemu for similar infractions.

The convicts aged between 25 and 40 – were arraigned before the Bolade Magistrate Court in Oshodi, where they pleaded guilty to the offences.

Gbadegesin warned residents to desist from indiscriminate waste disposal or face prosecution, adding that the agency had introduced smart bins to promote proper waste management.

He encouraged households to obtain the approved smart bins from LAWMA.

“All six individuals were arraigned before the Bolade Magistrate Court in Oshodi, where they pleaded guilty, and each received a one-month prison sentence.

“The convicts are Mrs Mariam Fadairo (40), Mr Abraham Obagade (25), Mr Saheed Onifade (35), Mr Jerry Okemiri (34), Mr Abdurazak Isa (30) and Mr Idowu Olaiya (29).

“LAWMA reminds residents to dispose of waste responsibly or face prosecution, and encourages households to obtain our approved smart bins at lawmasmartbins.com,” Gbadegesin stated on X.