1. Background: The Dirty Truth About Lagos

Lagos State the economic nerve center of Nigeria is plagued with a massive sanitation crisis. The evidence is everywhere: Blocked drainages and canals leading to perennial flooding during rainy seasons. Areas like Surulere, Mushin, Orile, and Ajegunle are frequently affected.

Waterfront pollution from Makoko to Elegushi; heaps of plastic waste and organic refuse clog the once-beautiful shores.Piles of trash line the streets of Agege, Oshodi, and even highbrow places like Lekki.Mounting waste from markets, motor parks, slums, and construction zones. In many places, refuse collection is inconsistent, and open dumping is still the norm. This isn’t just an environmental hazard. It’s a public health threat, a stain on our global image, and a missed economic opportunity.

2. Vision and Mission

Vision: To make Lagos the cleanest, most resilient coastal megacity in Africa by harnessing the power of community and informal structures.

Mission: To clean up Lagos — canal by canal, street by street, waterfront by waterfront while transforming jobless youths (area boys) into sanitation champions.

3. Strategic Pillars

A. Reclaim the City – Canal, Drainage & Waterfront Cleanup

Start with pilot LGAs like Surulere, Eti-Osa and Mushin.

Clean up blocked drainages and remove solid waste from canals to prevent flooding.Target waterfronts like Makoko, Third Mainland Coastline, and Elegushi with structured cleanup schedules.

B. Use the Power of the Streets – Engage Area Boys

1. Rather than ignoring or criminalizing area boys (aka agbero), this initiative sees them as:Manpower: Strong, street-savvy, and job-ready. Custodians: They know every corner and every dump. Influencers: They command respect in their communities. Action Plan for Engagement:
2. Partner with local union heads and baba oloja to identify groups.
3. Run a “Clean for Cash” program where area boys are paid weekly stipends.
4. Provide safety gear, orientation, and dignity — no longer thugs, but “Lagos Sanitation Corps”.
5. Offer training on hygiene, safety, and environmental practices.
6. Collaborate with LAWMA and the Ministry of the Environment for logistics, supervision, and waste evacuation.

C. Community Ownership

Form resident cleanup watch groups — landlords, traders, youth. Roll out “Adopt a Gutter” & “Adopt a Canal” programs for estates, churches, mosques, and businesses. Use schools and NYSC to run environmental awareness campaigns.

4. Implementation Timeline (Pilot Phase: 6 Months)

Month Focus Key Activities

1 Mobilization Stakeholder meetings, MOUs with unions, hiring, training, pilot mapping

2-3 Drainage & Canal Cleanup Engage workers, provide equipment, coordinate LAWMA evacuations

4-5 Waterfront Reclaiming Boat teams, marine trash nets, shore cleanup days

6 Community Takeover Transition to monitoring, reward cleanest communities, evaluation

5. Funding & Support Model

Grants & CSR from private sector players (banks, telcos, oil & gas, FMCGs)

Government partnerships with Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), LASEPA, and Ministry of Environment & Recycling organizations.

Crowdfunding and diaspora donations Brand sponsorships – “Clean Oshodi, Powered by XYZ Bank”

You can make an impact by donating here https://www.naijafund.com/campaign/clean-up-lagos-empower-lagos/

6. Impact Goals (Within 12 Months)

At least 50 canals and drainages cleared

1000+ area boys employed, trained and reintegrated

Flood risk reduced in key LGAs

Visible transformation of waterfronts into usable, tourist-friendly spaces

Reduction in air and waterborne diseases due to better waste management

Restored public pride and confidence in Lagos as a livable city

7. Messaging & PR Strategy

Use street murals and before/after photos to document progress

Spotlight success stories of reformed area boys

Social media campaign:

🔺 #CleanLagosEmpowerLagos

🔺 #FromStreetsToSolutions

🔺 #LagosNoGoDirtyAgain

8. Sustainability Plan

After initial cleanup, community sanitation cooperatives maintain order.

Provide continued stipends and micro-loans for workers turned entrepreneurs.

Use policy advocacy to push for tighter enforcement on waste dumping and drainage blocking.