Lagos Shuts 13 Markets Over Environmental Law Violations

Lagos State government has sealed off 14 markets and commercial facilities located along the Ketu and Ikorodu Road axis for flouting the state’s waste management laws.

The state’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, who disclosed this to journalists on Friday in Lagos said the action followed series of unheeded warnings and sustained pattern of environmental abuse by market operators and traders in the affected areas.

Wahab, reiterated the state’s unwavering stance on its zero tolerance for waste campaign, warning that any market or commercial outlet that fails to meet prescribed standards of cleanliness and proper waste disposal would be shut down indefinitely.

He said, “The zero tolerance for waste initiative is still fully in force. We are not going back on it. The only acceptable path for all markets and traders is to adopt and maintain decent waste management practices as outlined by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). The markets under closure will remain shut until these standards are met and sustained.”

He listed the sealed markets and facilities to include Erukan Market; Oja Oba Market, Ketu; Owoseni Tundas Market; Oba Ogunjobi Market; Shops Owners at BRT Terminal, Mile 12; Ketu Terminal Market (6 plazas); Ifesowapo Shop Owners Market and Demurin Street Plaza Shops, Ketu.

The rest are The Occupant, 6 Demurin Road, Ketu; Ifelodun Market, Ketu; Ibadan Unit 1 Park (between Babajide Sanwo-Olu Market and Ikosi Fruit Market); Ketu Tipper Garage; Ikosi Fruit Market.

Wahab emphasised that the markets will remain shut indefinitely until all affected markets implement comprehensive sanitation measures, procure appropriate waste bins, engage with LAWMA-licensed PSP operators, and demonstrate sustained compliance through monitoring and enforcement.

Also speaking on the issue, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin urged market leaders to take full responsibility for environmental conditions of their domains by ensuring that all traders comply with existing waste management protocols.

“The expectations are clear, use the double dino bins, avoid dumping waste on road medians and roadsides, thereby obstructing traffic, activate internal waste policing to monitor compliance within your markets, and pay your waste bills.

“Markets that continue to defy these basic regulations will face stiff sanctions”, he said.

He warned that the enforcement drive would be intensified in the coming weeks, adding that no facility would be spared if found wanting in its environmental responsibility.

Gbadegesin further reiterated LAWMA’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to build a cleaner Lagos, noting that the cooperation of market associations, traders, and residents was critical to achieving lasting results.

“LAWMA continues to deploy massive resources daily to evacuate market waste across the city. But these efforts are often undermined by poor internal waste practices. This has to change. Market leaders must do more to ensure their members operate within the bounds of the law”, he said.