LASEPA signals tougher environmental crackdown as Lagos steps up pollution control

L-R: Ms. Tolulope Adebowale, Executive Assistant to the Governor on Environmental Protection; Dr Babatunde Ajayi, General Manager, LASEPA; Dr. Omobolaji Tajudeen Gaji, Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, and another management officer at the 30th anniversary celebration of LASEPA at the agency’s Alausa office, at Ikeja on Wednesday, 4th November, 2026.

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) is preparing to strengthen its regulatory enforcement against environmental violations, warning businesses, religious institutions, facility operators and residents to take greater responsibility for their activities as the state intensifies efforts to tackle pollution and protect public health.

The agency’s General Manager, Dr Babatunde Ajayi, disclosed this on Wednesday during a news conference organised to commemorate its 30th anniversary.

Ajayi said the agency would continue to pursue its environmental protection mandate through stronger regulatory compliance, while emphasising that government enforcement alone would not be sufficient to address the state’s environmental challenges.

He urged businesses, religious organisations, scrap dealers, facility operators and residents to adopt environmentally responsible practices, obtain the necessary permits and approvals, and comply with existing environmental regulations.

According to him, cooperation between the government, businesses and residents remains critical to achieving a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos.

The LASEPA GM also acknowledged the contributions of the agency’s workforce, commending staff members for their dedication despite the operational challenges associated with environmental regulation and enforcement.

He equally appreciated the Lagos State Government for its continued support, which he said had helped the agency carry out its responsibilities.

Also speaking, Dr. Omobolaji Tajudeen Gaji, Permanent Secretary, Offfice of Environmental Services described LASEPA’s contribution to environmental management as significant, congratulating its management and staff on reaching the 30-year milestone.

Dr. Omobolaji particularly commended the heads of the agency’s various units for their roles in its achievements and praised Ajayi for his leadership and ability to coordinate the workforce.

He urged the agency’s personnel to sustain their commitment as LASEPA enters another phase of its operations, stressing that continued dedication would be necessary to address emerging environmental challenges.

The permanent secretary also called on Lagos residents to comply with environmental regulations and state laws, noting that public cooperation would support the government’s efforts to deliver better environmental services.

Providing insights into the agency’s achievements, Mrs Adedayo Adeboye, Director of Environmental Sustainability at LASEPA, said the agency had recorded significant progress in its regulatory activities over the past three decades.

She identified noise pollution control as one of the areas where LASEPA had made considerable contributions, noting that its interventions had helped improve the quality of life of residents.

Similarly, Mrs Musako Adetola, Director of the Amuwo-Odofin Zonal Office, highlighted the agency’s efforts in addressing the environmental problems associated with indiscriminate disposal of sachet water packaging and plastic bottles.

She explained that public sensitisation and recycling initiatives had encouraged the recovery and reuse of sachets and PET bottles for the production of other materials, helping to reduce their environmental impact.

Adetola added that LASEPA’s sustained public enlightenment campaigns had improved residents’ awareness of environmental regulations and the consequences of pollution.

She said the agency remained committed to monitoring pollutants and educating communities about the potential health implications of environmental pollution.

As LASEPA marks three decades of environmental regulation in Lagos, the renewed emphasis on enforcement and public cooperation highlights the continuing challenge of translating environmental policies into everyday practices across the state.

Kindly mention at least one of the activities of LASEPA in Lagos State.