Lagos, once envisioned as the economic heartbeat of Nigeria, has now become a city overwhelmed by filth, poor drainage, and government negligence. Corper Rita Raye’s statement about the unbearable stench in Lagos is not just a mere observation but an indictment of a failed system. The city, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s leadership, continues to sink deeper into a sanitation and infrastructural crisis that exposes residents to disease, environmental hazards, and an overall decline in quality of life.
One of the biggest challenges facing Lagos is the lack of a proper waste management system. Open defecation has become rampant, especially among agberos and those living under bridges, who have abandoned the use of pay toilets due to cost or sheer negligence. The result is a city where people shamelessly relieve themselves in shops, buses, streets, gutters, and every available corner. The situation is even worse in markets and motor parks, where traders and food vendors operate just inches away from rotting waste and human faeces. Areas like Obalende, Oshodi, and Mile 12, which should be bustling commercial hubs, have instead become epicenters of filth and health risks.
Beyond the sanitation crisis, Lagos is also plagued by a dysfunctional drainage system that exacerbates the problem. Whenever it rains, Lagos turns into a flood zone, with water mixing with waste to create a toxic mess that spreads diseases and destroys properties. Instead of implementing proper drainage systems, the government has allowed the city’s natural waterways to be blocked by unchecked construction, refuse dumping, and poor maintenance. The result is that even a light rainfall is enough to bring major roads and entire neighborhoods to a standstill.
The irony is that despite the billions of naira generated from taxes and federal allocations, the Lagos State government has done little to address these fundamental issues. Instead, resources are wasted on overhyped projects that do not improve the lives of the average Lagosian. Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration continues to focus on media propaganda and cosmetic developments while ignoring the fact that Lagos is sinking—both literally and figuratively.
This level of decay is what sets Lagos apart from other Nigerian states. While other cities invest in waste management, proper drainage, and public sanitation, Lagos continues to deteriorate under the weight of its own negligence. The state government, rather than prioritizing the well-being of its citizens, has turned a blind eye to the worsening conditions, allowing both waste and floodwaters to swallow the city.
At the heart of the problem is a government that has failed to take responsibility and a populace that has been forced to normalize living in unhealthy conditions. The Lagos State government must urgently implement a functional waste disposal system, provide accessible and well-maintained public toilets, and overhaul the drainage system before the city becomes completely uninhabitable. Enforcement of sanitation laws must be taken seriously, and residents must also take responsibility by keeping their surroundings clean and demanding better governance.
A city that prides itself as Nigeria’s commercial capital cannot continue to exist in filth and flood. Until Governor Sanwo-Olu takes decisive action, Lagos will remain a reflection of his administration’s failure—an urban jungle where waste, water, and government incompetence define everyday life. The people of Lagos deserve better, and it is time to demand real leadership before the city becomes an unlivable disaster.
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