Private Sector Waste Managers Credit Patriotism and Collaboration for Success of Reintroduced Lagos Sanitation Exercise

Lagos waste managers report a successful monthly sanitation exercise, citing patriotism and resident participation despite high operational fuel costs.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 27, 2026, 7:31 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Peoples Gazette (NAN)

The Reintroduction of a Monthly Tradition

The reintroduction of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Lagos State has been met with significant operational success, according to Private Sector Participants (PSP) in the waste management sector. Olugbenga Adebola, National President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), stated on Monday that the exercise—the first since its recent reinstatement—recorded orderly waste collection and active participation across the state’s various local governments. The success is being attributed to a collective sense of patriotism and a shared responsibility among residents and waste managers to maintain a cleaner urban environment.

Orderly Execution Amidst Logistics Concerns

Prior to the April 25 exercise, there were widespread concerns regarding potential disruptions in waste evacuation and logistical bottlenecks. However, Mr. Adebola noted that PSP operators were fully mobilized and carried out their duties with high efficiency. The exercise was seen as a critical opportunity for residents to take ownership of their immediate surroundings. To facilitate this, AWAMN members intensified sensitization efforts leading up to the sanitation day, acting as a bridge between the Sanwo-Olu administration’s policies and the general public.

Operational Challenges and the Polluter-Pay Principle

While the exercise was deemed successful, it was not without operational hurdles. The high cost of diesel remains a significant burden for PSP operators, many of whom expressed concerns over cost recovery and funding for fueling their trucks. Despite these financial pressures, operators chose to support the initiative in the interest of public health and environmental sustainability. Mr. Adebola reminded residents that waste management in Lagos follows the "polluter-pay" principle, where residents bear the cost of evacuation, emphasizing that the service is a collaborative economic effort rather than an entirely social one.