Lagos to Begin Arrest, Prosecution of Offenders as Ban on Single-Use Plastics Takes Effect July 1

The Lagos State Government has declared that it will begin full enforcement of its ban on Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) starting July 1, 2025...

The Lagos State Government has declared that it will begin full enforcement of its ban on Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) starting July 1, 2025, warning that offenders will be arrested and prosecuted under existing environmental laws.

The announcement was made by Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, during a media briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, on Tuesday.

“The decision to ban Single-Use Plastics in Lagos was not arbitrary. It was an existential one, influenced by multiple factors,” Wahab said.

He explained that Lagos State, with its small land mass and dense population, is highly vulnerable to environmental hazards. According to him, these factors necessitated urgent reforms to protect public health and the ecosystem.

“Lagos, a coastal city situated below sea level with the smallest land mass in the country—just 3,575 square kilometers—houses about 10 percent of Nigeria’s population. That alone is a recipe for environmental crisis,” he stated.

Wahab said the enforcement follows a 18-month transition period given to residents, vendors, and manufacturers to shift to more sustainable alternatives.

“We did not just wake up whimsically and choose to ban styrofoam food packs in 2024. We had always stated that within the next 12 months, all single-use plastics would follow,” Wahab added.
“Now, nearly 18 months later, we believe ample time has been given for all to transition. Enforcement starts July 1, and heavens will not fall.”

Banned Items:

1. Styrofoam Packs – for their non-biodegradable nature and harmful impact on drainage systems and the environment.

2. Plastic Straws – to promote eco-friendly alternatives and reduce marine and urban plastic waste.

3. Disposable Plastic Cups & Cutleries – to reduce litter and single-use plastic consumption.

4. Lightweight Nylon Bags – for being non-reusable and non-biodegradable, posing a major drainage blockage and flooding threat.

Wahab urged residents, especially business owners, food vendors, and market traders, to support the policy, warning that ignorance of the law will not be accepted as an excuse once enforcement begins.

“We are calling on all Lagosians to cooperate. This is about the future of our city — protecting our drainage channels, reducing flooding, and safeguarding public health,” he said.

He emphasized that this move is part of a comprehensive environmental reform strategy by the Sanwo-Olu administration, aligning with the state’s agenda to build a cleaner, safer, and more climate-resilient Lagos.

“This is about responsibility. We are determined to clean up our city and make it livable for future generations,” Wahab said.