The Lagos State Government has issued an urgent appeal to private business owners, including eateries, filling stations, and shopping malls, to open their restroom facilities to the public as part of a comprehensive strategy to eradicate open defecation and enhance urban sanitation. During a “Sanitation Stakeholders’ Engagement” held in Alausa, Ikeja, on Sunday, April 19, 2026, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, emphasized that the battle for a “Cleaner Lagos” cannot be won by the government alone. He maintained that the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign requires a collaborative approach where corporate citizens provide accessible and hygienic facilities for residents, especially in high-traffic commercial zones.
The directive is part of the state’s broader “Sanitation Drive” aimed at improving the health outcomes of over 20 million residents and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to water and sanitation. Tokunbo Wahab noted that while the state has invested in the construction of several public toilets through the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), the current infrastructure is still insufficient to meet the needs of the surging population. Supporting context from the ministry indicates that many businesses currently restrict their restrooms to “paying customers only,” a practice the Commissioner described as “socially unresponsive” in a mega-city environment. He assured business owners that the state is willing to discuss “tax rebates” or “sanitation credits” for establishments that consistently maintain clean, public-access restrooms.
Stakeholder reactions to the state’s request have been a mixture of “civic willingness” and “operational concerns.” The Chairperson of the Association of Fast Food Legislators and Operators, Mrs. Bose Ayeni, stated that while members are willing to support the government’s vision, there are legitimate concerns regarding the “cost of maintenance,” “water supply,” and the “security” of their premises when opened to the general public. She urged the Lagos State Government to provide “sanitation kits” or “subsidized cleaning services” to help businesses cope with the increased usage. Meanwhile, various civil society groups have lauded the initiative, noting that the lack of public restrooms is a major contributor to the “unsightly and unhealthy” habit of open urination along major highways like the Third Mainland Bridge and the Lekki-Epe Expressway.
Urban planning and public health analysts observe that Lagos is following the “Global Best Practice” seen in cities like London and New York, where private businesses play a critical role in public sanitation. Experts suggest that a “voluntary compliance” model is more effective than “coercion,” as it fosters a sense of shared ownership. They argue that the state must also address the “water infrastructure” gap, as many businesses struggle with the high cost of pumping and treating water for large volumes of users. Analyst Dr. Olusegun Ogundimo noted that “sanitation is the first line of defense against infectious diseases,” and by opening private restrooms, the state could significantly reduce the incidence of cholera and other waterborne ailments in congested areas.
The broader implications of this sanitation drive point toward an improved “Liveability Index” for Lagos State. By integrating private facilities into the public sanitation network, the government is creating a more “tourist-friendly” and “pedestrian-friendly” city. The move is also expected to reduce the “maintenance burden” on state-run agencies, allowing them to focus on “waste-to-energy” projects and the dredging of primary drainage channels. As the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources begins its “compliance monitoring” in the coming weeks, the focus remains on the “partnership incentives” offered to the private sector. For the average Lagosian, the success of this drive would mean a cleaner, more dignified environment in which to live and conduct business.
