By Innocent Onoh
The Lagos State Government has vowed to intensify enforcement of its ban on single-use plastics as part of a bold new drive to achieve a zero plastic waste Lagos.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the declaration during the 19th edition of the Walk for Nature, an annual awareness initiative jointly organized by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources to promote environmental consciousness and sustainable living.
This year’s event, themed “Lagos, Let’s Beat Plastic Pollution,” drew a massive crowd of participants comprising students of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), secondary school pupils, youths, government officials, and environmental enthusiasts.
The colourful walk began at YABATECH, proceeded through major streets in Yaba, and returned to the campus for a closing rally.
Represented by his Special Adviser on the Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, Governor Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enforcing the ban on single-use plastics and ensuring compliance across the state.
“This law banning single-use plastics has always been there. What we are doing now is stepping up enforcement—and there is no going back,” he said. “We must protect the environment to safeguard public health.”
The governor emphasized that the state’s ultimate goal is to achieve zero plastic waste, with enforcement to be rolled out in phases and tightened progressively. He called on residents, communities, and businesses to adopt eco-friendly habits, organize cleanup exercises, and use reusable materials in place of disposable plastics.
“Achieving zero plastic in the environment is our destination. We are taking it step by step, starting with strict enforcement. Lagos has done its bit; we urge other states to follow so offenders have no hiding place. Plastic pollution is everyone’s problem—we must face it head-on,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu commended the NCF for its unwavering advocacy and pledged continued partnership with the foundation, describing the fight against plastic pollution as “critical to building a cleaner, safer, and healthier Lagos.”
In her keynote address, Justice Justice Bukunola Adebiyi, Chairman of the NCF National Executive Council, called on Nigerians to take urgent and sustained action to reduce plastic waste, warning of its devastating impact on human health and the environment.
“This year’s theme, ‘Lagos, Let’s Beat Plastic Pollution!’ is both a challenge and a call to action,” she said. “It reminds us that Lagos must lead the way in confronting the menace of plastic waste that threatens our well-being and our future.”
Adebiyi commended Lagos for its leadership role and recent ban on plastics below 40 microns, describing the move as “a bold and progressive step that positions the state as a pacesetter in environmental governance.”
She revealed that Lagos generates about 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, with plastics accounting for roughly 15 percent—about 870,000 tonnes annually—a figure she described as “unsustainable and alarming.”
“Plastics that end up in the ocean don’t disappear—they break down into microplastics eaten by fish, which humans later consume. It’s a vicious cycle that threatens our health and our future,” she warned.
Held for the first time in a tertiary institution, this year’s Walk for Nature underscored the importance of youth involvement in environmental advocacy.
“Over 60 percent of Nigeria’s population is under 30. If we must build lasting change, it must begin with the young,” Adebiyi noted.
She also acknowledged Chevron Nigeria Limited, the major sponsor, and other partners such as Fidelity Bank, Nestlé Nigeria, and 7UP Bottling Company for their continued support.
As part of the day’s activities, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Fidelity Bank donated giant recycling bins to YABATECH to promote responsible waste disposal.
The NCF Director General, Dr. Joseph Onoja, described the Walk for Nature as a vital advocacy tool that continues to build environmental consciousness among Lagosians.
“Beating plastic pollution is a collective duty. We may not yet have perfect solutions, but if we all act responsibly, we can prevent plastics from ending up where they don’t belong—especially in our oceans,” he said.
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The vibrant procession, complete with live music, banners, and green-themed T-shirts, once again reaffirmed Lagos State’s growing reputation as Nigeria’s environmental capital—and its people’s determination to make plastic pollution a thing of the past.
