In a decisive environmental enforcement action, the Lagos State Government has sealed a public toilet facility in Ebute Metta for discharging untreated raw sewage into a public drain, highlighting the administration’s growing crackdown on pollution and unsanitary practices across Africa’s most populous city.

According to Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, the sanitation breach occurred at a facility on Savage Street where raw sewage was deliberately pumped into a public drainage channel. This led to offensive odours permeating the neighbourhood and a flow of waste entering shared community spaces — conditions officials said constituted a serious public nuisance and environmental hazard.

Wahab disclosed the development in a post on the social platform X (formerly Twitter), explaining that the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) took the enforcement action on Wednesday after confirming that the facility’s wastewater outlet was contaminating nearby drains. He emphasised that such practices jeopardise public health by increasing the risk of waterborne diseases and foul conditions in residential areas.

“The deliberate pumping of raw sewage into a public drain resulting in offensive odour and sewage flow within the community constituted a public nuisance, environmental pollution, and posed significant risks to human health,” Wahab said. He warned that any act of environmental nuisance or pollution will attract sanctions and possible prosecution under existing laws.

The commissioner also used the announcement to call on residents and business owners to adopt proper wastewater management and hygiene practices, describing environmental stewardship as critical to protecting public health and promoting sustainable urban living.

This latest sealing action is part of a broader campaign by Lagos authorities to enforce strict compliance with environmental regulations, particularly relating to sewage, waste disposal, and sanitation. Officials have increasingly targeted commercial and residential properties in recent months that violate environmental laws by discharging untreated wastewater, clogging drains, and creating conditions hazardous to neighbours and the wider public.

Authorities also noted that discussions are ongoing to revive monthly sanitation exercises statewide as part of efforts to instil a culture of cleanliness, although implementation timelines are still being finalised.