Sanwo-Olu's Lagos: Seven Years of Environmental Change

Since Babajide Sanwo-Olu took office as Governor of Lagos State on May 29, 2019, the city has faced significant environmental challenges, including flooding, waste management issues, and pollution. Despite these ongoing problems, the administration has shifted its perspective on urban environmental resilience.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, acknowledged poor waste collection performance in June 2026. The state has made strides in drainage management, restoring 12 primary drainage channels covering 32.5 kilometers in 2023 and 84 secondary channels totaling 96 kilometers in 2024.

Following intense rainfall in June 2026, Sanwo-Olu approved the dredging and maintenance of an additional 28 primary drainage channels. The administration is now treating drainage as permanent infrastructure and discussing waste management in terms of recycling and recovery, indicating a broader commitment to addressing environmental issues in Lagos.