The Lagos State Government has announced a decisive plan to phase out commercial bakeries that use firewood as fuel, marking a significant push to tackle air pollution and associated public health risks. The initiative targets bakeries that rely on traditional wood-fired ovens, which are major contributors to environmental degradation and climate change.
Strategic Shift from Wood to Gas
Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, the General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), disclosed the plan. He stated that the agency has already mapped out its strategy, which includes recent capacity-building programs for bakery owners, particularly those still operating with firewood.
The state government will finance a pilot project to transition the first set of firewood bakeries to cleaner gas-powered systems. This move is designed to create a model for others to emulate. The primary goals are to address severe health and environmental pollution, reduce fire hazards, and improve sanitation linked to wood-burning operations.
LASEPA's 2025 Enforcement Drive
Providing insight into the agency's activities, Dr. Ajayi revealed that LASEPA sealed a total of 244 facilities across Lagos State in 2025 for various environmental infractions. Noise pollution was recorded as the highest violation.
The affected facilities spanned a wide range, including:
- Hotels and eateries
- Markets and warehouses
- Churches and mosques
- Private households
Ajayi emphasized that these enforcement actions are fundamentally geared towards protecting public health and the environment. Beyond closures, over 200 hospitality facilities were monitored, leading to 180 abatement notices served on entities guilty of discharging raw sewage into lagoons and other forms of land and water pollution.
Broader Compliance and Community Initiatives
Enforcement efforts also extended to industrial sectors. Improved monitoring of chemical markets significantly reduced incidents of fire outbreaks and chemical spillages. A key intervention was a joint compliance operation at the Ojota Chemical Market conducted with NESREA and environmental task forces.
LASEPA's approach is not solely punitive. The agency engages in community-focused initiatives, such as installing two state-funded smokeless kiln machines at the Ago-Egun Ilaje fishing community in Bariga. This intervention aims to improve air quality, protect women's health, and boost economic productivity.
On air quality management, Ajayi noted partnerships with local and international institutions to deploy low-cost air quality sensors across Lagos. These provide real-time pollution data to guide policy. LASEPA currently releases weekly air quality data from 114 installed monitors, a significant increase from fewer than 24 previously. The agency aims to have at least 200 monitors installed by the end of 2026, with 60 already awaiting installation.
In a related move, religious leaders and nightclub operators have signed memoranda of understanding under the "Noiseless Lagos" advocacy to curb excessive noise. "Our goal is not punishment alone, but a cleaner, safer and healthier Lagos for all," Ajayi stated.
Supporting Compliance and Safeguarding Health
The LASEPA boss highlighted a deliberate strategy combining enforcement with education and support. The agency has established a compliance desk to assist industries facing environmental regulation challenges. "We are not just shutting down facilities; we are also helping operators comply," he explained.
In 2025, as part of efforts to formalize the recycling sector, LASEPA registered and accredited 153 e-waste and battery recyclers and collectors. For public health protection, the agency collaborated with the Lagos State Ministry of Health on water quality testing and sample analysis to enable early detection and prevention of cholera and other water-borne diseases.
Dr. Ajayi concluded that compliance improves when operators understand both the health and economic costs of environmental abuse, reinforcing the state's holistic approach to sustainable development.
