Lagos Enforces Sanitation Laws, Seals Lekki’s Itedo Market Indefinitely

Lagos, Nigeria – October 5, 2025 – The Lagos State Government has indefinitely shut down Itedo Market in Lekki for persistent violations of environmental laws and illegal roadside trading.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the development on Saturday via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, stating that the closure followed repeated warnings ignored by traders operating in and around the market.

Government’s Action and Enforcement

According to Wahab, the enforcement exercise was carried out early Saturday morning by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) and the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

“This morning, we took decisive action at Itedo Market, Lekki, which has now been shut down indefinitely due to repeated environmental violations and illegal roadside trading,” Wahab said.

He confirmed that five individuals were arrested during the operation for flouting environmental regulations, while three Black Maria vans were stationed at the scene to maintain order and deter further illegal activity.

Wahab added that the Lagos State Government would not tolerate disregard for environmental laws or unauthorized street trading, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to “restoring sanity, ensuring public safety, and upholding the rule of law.”

Broader Cleanup Efforts Across Lagos

The closure of Itedo Market is part of a statewide environmental enforcement campaign aimed at improving sanitation and reclaiming public spaces from illegal traders.

In recent months, the Lagos State Government has intensified its urban sanitation drive, targeting markets, highways, and commercial hubs notorious for waste mismanagement and street trading.

Officials maintain that the initiative is not punitive but part of a long-term effort to enforce sustainable waste practices and protect public health.

Previous Market Closures

The Itedo Market shutdown follows similar actions taken in other parts of the state this year:

• In June 2025, the Oko Oba Abattoir in Agege was closed indefinitely after inspectors discovered unsanitary practices, including people sleeping in animal pens and waste being discharged into public drains.

• In April, 13 markets and business plazas in Ketu and Mile 12 were sealed for illegal waste disposal and obstruction of public roads and drainage systems.

• Earlier in January, Block N of Ebute-Ero Market was sealed after officials found sewage pipes illegally connected to public drains and shanties built on walkways.

Penalties and Compliance

The Lagos State Government has reiterated that violators of environmental regulations face fines of up to ₦250,000 or a three-month jail term, with stricter penalties for repeat offenders.

Wahab urged market leaders and traders to comply with environmental standards to prevent further closures, warning that the government’s resolve to maintain a cleaner, safer Lagos remains “unwavering.”