The Lagos State Government on Monday stormed Oniwaya Market in the Agege area to enforce its ban on single-use plastics, marking the beginning of full-scale implementation across the state.
The ban, which came into full effect on July 1, 2025, prohibits the production, sale, and use of single-use plastics such as styrofoam packs, disposable cutlery, straws, plastic cups, and lightweight nylon bags. The move is part of the government’s broader strategy to combat flooding, reduce plastic pollution, and promote environmental sustainability.
Confirming the enforcement in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the crackdown followed months of public awareness campaigns to give traders and residents time to adapt.
“We are currently at Oniwaya Market in Agege enforcing the ban on single-use plastics. This follows an extensive advocacy to give traders and residents time to adjust. The ban is now fully in effect. Single-use plastics block our drainages, worsen flooding, and endanger our environment. Enforcement will continue across markets and communities, and we will not relent until compliance is total,” Wahab stated.
Speaking further at a press briefing, Wahab clarified that the ban specifically applies to plastic items below 40 microns in thickness, which are most responsible for drainage blockages and environmental degradation.
He added that any shop, store, or market caught stocking or selling such items would be sealed, while offenders would face prosecution under Lagos environmental laws.
The Commissioner stressed that the policy is in the best interest of the public, noting that plastic waste not only threatens the environment but also endangers health.
“Let me be clear, any store, shop, or market caught storing or dealing in single-use plastics below 40 microns will be sealed, and those responsible will face legal consequences under Lagos environmental laws. Together, we can build a safer, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos,” Wahab said.
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The enforcement comes after a six-month grace period that ended on June 30, during which the government carried out extensive sensitization campaigns to encourage a transition to reusable alternatives.
Environmental experts and advocacy groups have hailed the move, describing it as a step toward building a cleaner Lagos, though they have also called for more investment in recycling and eco-friendly packaging alternatives
