The Lagos State Government has declared that full enforcement of its ban on single-use plastics will begin on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, with shops, markets, and outlets found selling or storing banned items to be sealed and prosecuted under the state’s environmental laws.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the announcement during a press briefing on Tuesday, reiterating the government’s resolve to combat plastic pollution in Africa’s most populous city.
The ban affects Styrofoam food packs, plastic straws, lightweight nylon bags, disposable cutlery, and any other plastic materials under 40 microns in thickness—materials the government says are a major cause of drainage blockage and coastal ecosystem degradation.
“We gave a six-month grace period, which expired on June 30. Many believed we would delay enforcement. That will not happen,” Wahab said.
He stressed that no exceptions will be made:
“Any market or store found selling, distributing, or storing single-use plastic below 40 microns will be sealed, and offenders will face sanctions under Lagos environmental laws.”
Wahab emphasized that the decision was taken to protect public health and ensure environmental sustainability, pointing to years of flooding and pollution caused by indiscriminate plastic waste. The Commissioner added that the state will not compromise on its responsibility to future generations.
This comes as enforcement agencies, including the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) and Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), gear up for mass operations across the city. Residents and business owners are being advised to switch to eco-friendly alternatives.
