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Lagos residents lament irregular waste collection

Published

2 months ago

November 16, 2025

Residents of Lagos have expressed concern over what they described as the increasingly irregular services provided by Private Sector Participant waste operators in the state, warning that indiscriminate dumping of refuse is heightening environmental and public health risks.

The residents spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos.

NAN observed that parts of Ikorodu, Ayobo, Alagbado, Shasha, Ikotun, Akesan, Afariogun Street, Mafoluku, Airport Road, and LASU-Iba Road have suffered long gaps in waste evacuation.

Many households have resorted to burning refuse or dumping it in gutters, particularly during rainfall.

In Ikorodu, Miss Adekoya Toyosi, a businesswoman, said PSP operators no longer maintain predictable schedules.

“Collection sometimes drops from three times a month to once a month. If the waste is much and the PSP doesn’t come around, we use the gutter when it rains, and sometimes we burn it when it’s sunny,” she said, adding that residents pay between ₦500 and ₦700 depending on waste volume.

Mr Timilehin Ogunnariwo, also an Ikorodu resident and human resource practitioner, noted that PSP trucks often arrive already full, leaving inner streets unattended.

“I use three drums in my compound, but when waste accumulates, rats scatter it everywhere. Leakage from overflowing PSP trucks in the local market has become a recurring environmental hazard,” he said.

Mrs Ajibola Mafolayanmi, a fashion designer, said she burns her waste three to four times a week.

“There is a field where people dispose of their waste, but it’s far. Burning gives us catarrh and cough, but we have no choice since the PSP does not come to our area,” she explained.

Mrs Ogundinmu Mariam, who oversees market waste in Ikorodu, said refuse is evacuated weekly through the local council but not consistently.

“During the rainy season, the whole place becomes messy and smelly. Some residents have turned to informal haulers,” she said.

Mrs Oluranti Favour, a food vendor, said cart pushers are now her main option, adding that PSP operators “come once in a while.” Another resident, Iya Gbogo, said she pays between ₦500 and ₦1,000 weekly for private disposal because she is not registered under the PSP.

In Ayobo Extension, residents attributed service gaps to bad roads and persistent rainfall. Mrs Gloria Ogbu said operators resurfaced “only after a very long while.”

At Shasha, Egbeda, a teacher, Mrs Stella Lawrence, said PSP operators render “selective services,” noting that nearby estates enjoy regular pickups while other streets are neglected.

“They should make waste evacuation regular and affordable. Many people now rely on banned cart pushers,” she said.

Along AIT Road, Alagbado, NAN observed heaps of refuse on the road median, attributed to weeks of non-collection.

In Ikotun, Mr Ugochukwu Eze, a journalist, criticised the billing system by PSP operators.

“Sometimes, they don’t come for two weeks, yet they bill you as if they came. They behave like the former NEPA that bills you whether service is rendered or not,” he said, calling for a pay-as-you-go model to avoid shortchanging residents.

In the Akesan–Badore axis along LASU–Isheri Road, Mr Kunle Ayodele, a civil servant, said PSP operators had not visited in more than three weeks.

“The heaps of dirt pose a risk of disease outbreak. PSP comes only twice a month, so people now dump refuse on the expressway,” he said, adding that the closure of the Igando dumpsite and relocation to Badagry has increased turnaround time and diesel costs, affecting collection frequency.

Mr Ugochukwu Okoro, a civil servant and resident of Ajao Estate, said PSP operators have reduced collection in the estate despite regular payments.

“I don’t understand what is happening. PSP operators who used to come every Wednesday are no longer coming. Ajao Estate, known for its cleanliness, is gradually being littered with waste,” he said.

However, residents in Lekki Phase 1 reported consistent service. Mrs Ese Afolabi, a civil servant, commended PSP operators for evacuating waste every Monday or the next day if delayed.

“Their consistency keeps the environment clean and healthy,” she said.

The President of the Association of Scrap and Waste Pickers of Lagos, Mr Friday Oku, acknowledged concerns about scavengers scattering waste at collection points. He said the association is collaborating with government agencies to train waste pickers on proper handling and occupational safety.

“Some are not under our association and avoid training because they fear taxation. We are planning more community awareness and training next year,” he said.

Commenting on broader challenges, the President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria, Dr Olugbenga Adebola, said PSP operators remain committed to effective service delivery but face structural constraints.

“The PSP operators are committed to efficient service delivery. However, as some of your respondents noted, there are challenges at the disposal sites which we, together with the government, are discussing at the highest level. We recently met with the governor, and the discussions were productive. Short-, medium-, and long-term solutions are being worked on to address the disposal problems,” he said.

Residents across affected communities urged the Lagos State Government and Lagos Waste Management Authority to ensure more frequent and predictable PSP services to curb indiscriminate dumping, burning, and related health hazards.

NAN

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PHOTOS & VIDEO: Fire razes part of Ogun free trade zone, Igbesa

Published

9 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

A fire outbreak has occurred at the mattress section of the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, on Sunday.

It was gathered that the fire was triggered by a gas explosion from a foam-producing company in the industrial park.

The incident has reportedly caused chaos and fear among students living around the Obanla axis of the area.

In a video obtained by our correspondent, students were seen running out of their hostels as the thick smoke covered the sky.

An eyewitness, Kuwhede Vincent, a student of the Ogun State Institute of Technology, OGITECH, Igbesa, disclosed that there was a loud noise followed by smoke and fire.

Vincent said, “ It started around 8 am in the morning, we first saw smoke then fire coming from the company.

“The company is very close to my hostel but I don’t think any hostel was affected. We just carried our bag because we don’t know what can happen next”.

He noted that the fire service were on ground to curtail the fire.

Reacting to the incident, President of the Student Union Government in OGITECH, Ilo Fadilu Temitope, in a statement signed by its secretary, Moses Josephine and PRO Segbetin Sunday, and made available to called for calm among students, urging them to be vigilant, and adhere strictly to safety measures.

Part of the statement reads, “The attention of the Students’ Union Government has been drawn to information reaching us regarding a fire outbreak at the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, which is in close proximity to some student hostels around the Obanla axis.

“While relevant authorities are reportedly responding to the situation, the Students’ Union deems it necessary to prioritize the safety and well-being of all students.

“In view of this, students especially those residing around Obanla axis and its environs are hereby advised to remain calm but vigilant, and to strictly observe the following safety measures: Avoid unnecessary movement towards the affected area or fire scene, stay indoors where it is safe to do so and keep doors and windows closed if there is smoke in the environment, switch off electrical appliances and gas sources as a precaution.”

As of the time of filing this report, there has not been any official statement on the cause of the incident.

When contacted by our correspondent, the Commissioner of the State’s Ministry of Environment, Ola Oresanya said, “Thanks for the information, I will work on it immediately.”

Many houses affected as fire guts Ogun Free Trade Zone pic.twitter.com/pYIjbLwGhJ

— Temitope Hassan (@temihat) January 11, 2026

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Demolition notice: Ogun communities cry out, call for Gov Abiodun’s intervention

Published

10 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

About 15 communities in the Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State have called for the intervention of Governor Dapo Abiodun over alleged plot to demolish their villages and acquire their land.

The communities include Itori Mogan, Laaki, Jaguna, Ogunu, Paashi, Kumapayi, and Abule Odo of Ijemoland among others.

According to the villagers, the community which is over 300 years was excised by former governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s administration.

It was gathered that the state government, through the its Planning and Development Permit Authority, Abeokuta Metro Zonal Planning Office, served a demolition notice with service number 00047932 on the occupiers of Itori Mogan village on Friday, accusing them of contravening the Land Use Act of Ogun State for residing in Hillcrest Estate.

In the demolition notice dated January 9, 2026, the government gave the occupiers three days deadline to vacate the affected villages that fell within its acquisition.

Expressing their displeasure on Saturday, the Baale of Ogunro, Chief Olakunle Bodunde, speaking on behalf of the villages marked for demolition, lamented that the present administration is bent on taking the remaining part of the community for an estate development, while rendering members of the community homeless.

He noted that the matter was in court and despite several meetings with the government, a demolition notice was pasted on their buildings.

He said, “We have taken significant steps to address this issue. We had meetings with the government, and now the matter is in court.

“We have served them, and the government has been notified, but they are not showing up in court, and now they have come to paste demolition notices on our buildings.

“We want things to be done with due process. The court has not made a pronouncement yet.”

Also speaking, Chief Oludare Salako, the Baale of Itori Mogan, said the communities have different ancestral gods which according to him cannot be relocated, saying that forceful eviction could spell danger.

He appealed to the state governor to intervene, expressing the belief that he may not be aware of the incident.

“We want Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene, as we believe he may not be aware of these alleged land grabbers in his government. We want him to look critically into the matter and stop their actions,” Salako added.

The Aro of Egbaland and Oluwo of Ijemo, High Chief Oluyinka Kufile, urged the villagers to engage in dialogue with the government and be hopeful.

“If you have a right, no government will stop you from exercising your right. So my advice is to dialogue.

“We have signed pacts with the present government on some particular land and villages. Go there, visit the office, and make inquiries. Why again are they trying to take back the land,” he said.

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Full List Of Countries Nigerians Travel To Without Visa

Published

10 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Nigerian passport holders can now travel to 45 countries worldwide without obtaining a visa in advance, according to the latest update from Visaindex.

The development significantly eases international travel for Nigerians, providing broader options for tourism, business, education and family visits.

Of the 45 destinations, 27 countries allow visa-free entry for Nigerian citizens, while the remaining operate visa-on-arrival or Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) regimes. Entry conditions vary by country, but the update signals an expansion of global mobility opportunities for Nigerians.

Several African nations have adopted open-border policies aimed at boosting regional integration, trade and tourism.

The Gambia – Since 2019, the country has declared itself a visa-free zone for all African travellers, extending the policy to Commonwealth nations, the European Union, and select Baltic states.

Benin – Inspired by Rwanda, Benin lifted visa restrictions for all Africans in 2019, strengthening its position as a commercial and transit hub in West Africa.

Kenya – In October 2023, President William Ruto announced the removal of visa requirements for all African visitors to enhance trade, tourism and continental connectivity.

Rwanda – Since November 2023, Rwanda has granted visa-free entry to all Africans without fees, reinforcing its reputation as a leading tourism and conference destination.

Ghana – Ghana recently joined the visa-free league for Africans, a move expected to attract investors, tourists and business travellers as it positions itself as a regional hub.

Other Visa-Free Or Easy-Access Destinations

Nigerian passport holders can also access the following countries either visa-free, via visa-on-arrival, or through eTA arrangements:

Barbados

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Chad

Cook Islands

Côte d’Ivoire

Dominica

Fiji

Guinea