Lagos to Re-Introduce Monthly Sanitation, Seven Years After Suspension
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has reportedly approved the reintroduction of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, seven years after its suspension.
Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, made this claim in a 21-second video posted on the X handle of Lagos State Environmental Update.
Speaking in Yoruba, Wahab said, “We have been discussing with the Governor about having monthly sanitation in Lagos. The Governor has approved it, and it will commence next month,” adding that the State Governor will make the announcement himself.
History Of Monthly Sanitation In Nigeria
In Nigeria, the monthly sanitation practice, which is still being observed in many parts of the country, dates back to 1984 when Tunde Idiagbon introduced the controversial War Against Indiscipline (WAI) during the military regime of Muhammadu Buhari.
WAI, which aimed to instill a sense of patriotism as well as discipline in Nigeria, gave rise to several practices, including the singing of the National Anthem in secondary schools and monthly sanitation.
In the nation’s economic hub, Lagos, sanitation exercise, was previously held between 7 am and 10 am on the last Saturday of every month. However, it was suspended in November 2016 following litigation against the exercise, which prohibited the movement of vehicles during the sanitation period.
