Sh*ck Move: Sanwo-Olu Issues 72-Hour Quit Notice To Lagos-Badagry Shanty Occupants

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to occupants of shanties and makeshift structures erected along the median of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, directing them to vacate the area ahead of a planned enforcement exercise.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The directive was announced on Saturday after the governor led the state’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise across communities in Surulere Local Government Area. The exercise, which was attended by the governor’s wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, forms part of the Lagos State Government’s ongoing campaign to promote environmental cleanliness and improve waste management across the state.

Speaking with journalists after the sanitation exercise, Sanwo-Olu disclosed that enforcement officials would begin clearing all illegal structures on the expressway median from next week. He explained that the operation would cover the stretch between Orile-Iganmu and Okokomaiko, stressing that the government would not allow the corridor, regarded as one of Lagos’ major international gateways, to be transformed into a slum.

The governor described the notice as the final warning to all occupants, emphasizing that every unauthorized structure on the median would be demolished during the enforcement exercise. He noted that the highway was never intended for commercial activities or residential structures and stressed the need to protect the massive public investment made on the 10-lane expressway.

Sanwo-Olu stated that the government remains committed to preserving the integrity of the road infrastructure, adding that thousands of enforcement personnel would be deployed to ensure the successful clearance of the corridor.

As part of broader environmental reforms, the governor also announced plans to add 150 compactors to the state’s waste collection fleet to improve refuse evacuation across Lagos. He revealed that waste collection tricycles would also be introduced into inner communities where larger compactors have limited access.

According to the governor, the state is investing in long-term waste management infrastructure, including a modern material recovery and recycling facility capable of processing approximately 4,250 metric tonnes of waste daily.

He urged residents to complement the government’s efforts by disposing of waste responsibly and ensuring prompt payment for waste collection services, noting that efficient waste management requires collaboration between the government, private operators, and residents.

Sanwo-Olu further encouraged parents to involve their children in sanitation activities, stressing that environmental discipline and cleanliness should be instilled from an early age to help build a healthier and more sustainable Lagos.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, revealed that the state government has commenced the transition from its long-standing waste collection and disposal model to a more sustainable waste management system.

Speaking during an inspection of the Olusosun Landfill following the sanitation exercise, Wahab explained that the existing “collect and dump” approach was no longer sustainable due to increasing waste volumes and limited landfill space.

He disclosed that the Olusosun facility would be converted into a transfer loading station capable of moving about 2,500 metric tonnes of waste daily to a material recovery facility under construction in Ikorodu. The project is expected to commence operations before the end of the year.

The commissioner said the state’s new waste management strategy is focused on converting waste into valuable resources for energy generation, wealth creation, and other productive uses rather than relying solely on landfill disposal.

He appealed to Lagos residents to support the government’s environmental reforms by cooperating with ongoing initiatives aimed at achieving cleaner communities and a more sustainable waste management system across the state.