The Lagos State Government has intensified its crackdown on single-use plastics (SUPs), launching a series of enforcement raids on major markets across the state to enforce the ban on plastic materials under 40 microns in thickness.
Leading the operation, the KAI Corps Marshal, Retired Major Olatunbosun Cole, said the initiative is not just about cleaning up the streets—it’s part of a broader campaign to address flooding, environmental pollution, and marine degradation in Africa’s largest city.
On the second day of the operation, enforcement teams stormed Bolade Market in Oshodi and Ojuwoye Market in Mushin, following an earlier sweep of Alakoro Market on Lagos Island.
“Traders should ensure they only sell plastics that are not less than 40 microns—for the betterment of all,” Cole warned. “This isn’t just about rules. It’s about survival.”
Items confiscated during the raids included lightweight nylon bags, plastic cutlery, straws, disposable cups, and plates—all deemed illegal under the new policy.
The state government first announced the ban in January 2024, giving manufacturers an 18-month moratorium to transition toward sustainable alternatives. That grace period expired on July 1, 2025, triggering the start of full enforcement.
According to Cole, government agencies had spent months engaging stakeholders—from plastic producers to restaurant associations—on the implications of the ban and the urgency of shifting toward reusable materials.
He stressed that single-use plastics are not biodegradable and often clog drainage systems, worsening urban flooding and ending up in lagoons and the Atlantic, where they threaten aquatic ecosystems and enter the human food chain.
“This is about the health of Lagosians and the sustainability of our environment,” Cole added. “The days of turning a blind eye to plastic pollution are over.”
As the raids continue in other markets, traders and retailers have been urged to stock and sell only compliant materials. The enforcement campaign, officials say, will remain aggressive until behavioural and systemic change is achieved.
Lagos joins a growing list of global megacities imposing tough measures on plastic pollution, signalling a new era of environmental accountability in Nigeria.
