Lagos environment 2025 achievements include water, waste, flood, and air-quality reforms under Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab’s leadership
The Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources marked 2025 as a landmark year, achieving unprecedented reforms across water supply, waste management, flood control, and environmental regulation.
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Commissioner Tokunbo Philip Wahab personally led field operations, holding agencies accountable and introducing rapid decision-making that cut through bureaucratic delays. “I will get back to you” became unacceptable, and governance by adrenaline produced visible results, even as it created friction within government and with private stakeholders.
Water Supply Breakthroughs
The Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) achieved the highest water production in state history.
The Adiyan Phase II project, completed in October, will add 70 million gallons per day (MGD) to the grid when commissioned in early 2026, raising total production from 210 MGD to roughly 280 MGD.
Rehabilitation of the Iju and Ishashi plants and construction of two new mini-plants at Akute and Otta-Iyana progressed swiftly, with Iju 68% complete by December.
Older assets such as the Mosan-Okunola Waterworks were recommissioned, and the replacement of 127 km of tertiary distribution pipes helped reduce non-revenue water from 64% to 41%.
Flood Control and Drainage
The Office of Drainage Services (ODS) and Emergency Flood Abatement Gangs (EFAG) cleared 666 km of drains and removed 412,000 cubic metres of silt and waste.
Forty-two high-capacity pumps were installed in flood-prone areas, and 47 reclamation sites were sealed.
During October rains, areas historically submerged for days experienced only hours of flooding, demonstrating the impact of proactive maintenance.
Waste Management Reforms
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) renewed its fleet with 1,050 CNG compactor trucks, expanding domestic collection coverage from 61% to 78% and formalising 40,000 jobs.
Enforcement of the Styrofoam and single-use plastics ban confiscated 123 metric tonnes of banned items and fined 1,800 traders.
LAWMA also signed binding MoUs for circular economy initiatives, including a deposit-refund system for PET bottles, tyre recycling, plastic-to-diesel facilities, and a 60–80 MW waste-to-energy plant, charting a clear path to closing Lagos’s major landfills.
Environmental Regulation and Air Quality
Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) expanded air-quality monitoring with twelve new stations, launched a public air-quality dashboard, and mandated continuous emissions monitoring for major industrial polluters.
Noise abatement continued, targeting nightclubs and non-compliant religious institutions.
Waterways and Wastewater Management
The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) launched the Omi Eko initiative, opening fifteen commercial ferry routes, upgrading thirty-eight jetties, and dredging 140 km of channels.
Commuter travel times and safety improved, and a fleet of seventy-five electric ferries was ordered.
The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) began enforcing sewage regulations, sealing 180 properties discharging raw sewage into drains, and adopted a ten-year master plan including 1,200 km of interceptor sewers and 2,000 modular public toilets.
Conclusion
By December 2025, Lagos had more piped water than in two decades, cleaner streets, faster-flowing drains, safer waterways, monitored air quality, and a credible waste-to-energy pathway.
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Much of this was attributed to Commissioner Wahab’s hands-on leadership, though sustaining the momentum will define the next decade of environmental governance in the megacity.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
