Lagos is once again preparing for what has become one of its biggest attractions of the year.
As December approaches, the city will welcome thousands of visitors from across Nigeria and around the world. Tourists, Nigerians in the diaspora, investors, and celebrities will arrive for the concerts, nightlife, food, fashion, and everything else that has made “Detty December” a global brand.
That is something to be proud of. Few African cities command the kind of attention Lagos enjoys every December. But there is a problem we can no longer pretend not to see. Wherever you go in Lagos today, heaps of refuse have become part of the landscape. Drive along many of the state’s major highways and you will find them. Visit several densely populated communities and the story is the same. In some places, the refuse has remained for so long that people hardly notice it anymore. What should have been temporary collection points now look like permanent monuments. This should concern all of us.
The excitement around Detty December should not distract us from the image we are presenting to the rest of the world. The name may be “Detty December,” but nobody expects a city that is physically dirty. Visitors should remember Lagos for its energy, creativity, and hospitality, not for overflowing refuse dumps that line major roads.
Think about the experience of someone visiting Lagos for the first time. From the airport to the hotels on the Island, what should be an exciting journey can easily become an unpleasant introduction to the city. That first impression matters. It shapes how people talk about Lagos after they return home, and in today’s world those stories travel fast.
The issue goes beyond appearances.
Poor waste management creates serious health risks. Refuse attracts rodents and insects, blocks drainage channels, contributes to flooding, and increases the spread of disease. Every resident feels the impact in one way or another. A cleaner city is a healthier city, and healthier people make for a stronger and more productive society.
Lagos is a megacity with a rapidly growing population. No one expects waste management to be easy. The volume of waste generated every day is enormous, but that makes the challenge even more urgent. Allowing refuse to pile up across the city cannot become normal.
This is why I believe Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu should declare an environmental sanitation emergency before the end of the year. Waste collection needs to improve. Illegal dumping should attract tougher enforcement. Public awareness must continue, and everyone involved in waste management should be held accountable for doing their part.
Residents also have responsibilities. We cannot demand a cleaner Lagos while contributing to the problem through indiscriminate dumping of refuse. Keeping the city clean requires cooperation between government, businesses, and every household.
Lagos has earned its place as Africa’s entertainment capital. Every December reminds us of its incredible potential. Yet a city that wants to compete with the best destinations in the world cannot afford to make mountains of refuse part of its identity.
As another festive season draws near, this is the right time to act. Visitors should leave Lagos talking about the warmth of its people, the quality of its experiences, and the ambition of its future. They should not leave remembering the heaps of refuse that greeted them on arrival.
Cleaning up Lagos is not about impressing tourists. It is about giving the people who live here the kind of city they deserve.
Popoola is a marketing communications professional and brand strategist with over a decade of experience in corporate communications, branding, and public affairs. He writes on issues shaping business, governance, and society. He can be reached via [email protected]
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