LAWMA Seals Ajah Market, Targets 24 Facilities Over Waste Violations

LAWMA intensifies waste management enforcement across the Ajah-Lekki corridor

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has intensified enforcement of waste management and environmental regulations across the Ajah-Lekki axis, sealing Issa Imamu Market and identifying 24 markets, commercial establishments and institutional facilities for compliance action.

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The enforcement followed a monitoring exercise conducted on August 25, 2026, by LAWMA’s Project WISE team in collaboration with officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), the military and the Nigeria Police. The exercise covered the Eleganza and Issa Imamu Market areas of Ajah.

LAWMA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the affected facilities had been identified following observed breaches of approved waste management requirements and other environmental regulations.

LAWMA Seals Issa Imamu Market

At Issa Imamu Market, the enforcement team sealed the facility following what LAWMA described as persistent indiscriminate disposal of waste along the roadside.

The action forms part of the authority’s wider effort to enforce environmental standards in commercial areas where improper waste disposal can affect roads, drainage channels and surrounding communities.

LAWMA said it would continue to combine stakeholder engagement and improved waste management services with enforcement to encourage compliance across the corridor.

24 Facilities Face Compliance Enforcement

LAWMA has also identified 24 facilities across the Ajah-Lekki axis for compliance enforcement.

The facilities include Kodak Moment, Bayrock Lifestyle, Caelum Nigeria Ltd, Alpha Pharmacy, Amazon Farm, Ramayaa Mall, Simply Africa Place, Aries Safia, Wolly Mall, Delightful Toy Shop, New Creation Church, The Logic Church, Dow Eye Clinic and Time Oak Hotel.

Others are L OMP, Furniture House, Fashion Design Factory, De Phantom Hotel, Elizade Motors, Trinity, Living Faith Church, Premium Rentals, Christ Chapel Church and QMB Mart.

According to LAWMA, the establishments have been given opportunities to comply with waste management requirements. The authority warned that continued non-compliance would attract enforcement measures.

Illegal Structures Removed Along Road Corridors

The enforcement exercise also addressed the use of public spaces for trading activities.

At Eleganza, LAWMA’s enforcement team removed illegal structures erected by traders along road corridors and pedestrian walkways. The authority said the structures obstructed the movement of motorists and pedestrians.

The intervention highlights the connection between environmental management, public-space regulation and urban mobility in rapidly developing parts of Lagos.

Unregulated commercial activities along roads and pedestrian routes can restrict movement, worsen traffic conditions and reduce the effective capacity of existing urban infrastructure.

Rapid Development Increases Waste Management Pressure

The Ajah-Lekki corridor has experienced significant residential, commercial and institutional development, increasing the demand for reliable waste collection and disposal services.

LAWMA’s current list of approved private-sector waste operators shows that waste management services already cover several communities and districts within the Eti-Osa area, including Ajah, Badore, Langbasa, Sangotedo, Lekki Phase I and other locations along the corridor.

The presence of multiple operators reflects the scale of waste management demand created by the area’s expanding population and commercial activity.

However, the latest enforcement exercise shows that service availability must be accompanied by compliance from businesses, markets, institutions and residents.

Waste Management Has Housing Market Implications

Effective waste management is an important component of housing and urban development.

For property owners and developers, environmental conditions influence the attractiveness and long-term value of residential neighbourhoods. Persistent roadside dumping, blocked drainage and poorly managed commercial waste can reduce the quality of surrounding communities and contribute to environmental risks.

This is particularly relevant in rapidly developing areas such as Lekki and Ajah, where new residential estates continue to emerge alongside commercial centres and institutions.

A cleaner and better-managed environment can support neighbourhood liveability and strengthen the appeal of residential and commercial property.

Environmental Compliance Matters to Developers

The enforcement action also reinforces the importance of environmental compliance for property developers, businesses and institutions operating within growing urban corridors.

As Lagos expands, developers increasingly need to consider waste collection, drainage, road access and other environmental services as part of broader development planning.

Poor waste management can place additional pressure on public infrastructure and create problems that extend beyond individual properties.

For large residential developments, commercial centres and mixed-use projects, effective waste management arrangements are therefore an important part of maintaining the quality and functionality of the surrounding neighbourhood.

LAWMA Signals Sustained Enforcement

Gbadegesin said LAWMA would maintain monitoring, enforcement and stakeholder engagement across Lagos State.

The authority has urged businesses, markets, institutions and residents to meet their waste management obligations and cooperate with enforcement teams.

LAWMA’s approach combines enforcement with engagement and improved service delivery, suggesting that the authority intends to pursue compliance while also expanding cooperation with stakeholders.

The continued presence of private-sector waste operators across the Ajah-Lekki corridor provides part of the infrastructure required to support this approach.

Outlook

The latest LAWMA enforcement operation underscores the environmental pressures accompanying rapid development along the Ajah-Lekki corridor.

The sealing of Issa Imamu Market and the identification of 24 facilities for further compliance action show that the authority is placing greater emphasis on adherence to waste management and environmental regulations.

For the housing and property market, the development highlights the need to treat waste management and public-space planning as essential elements of sustainable urban growth.

As residential and commercial development continues across the Lekki axis, consistent waste collection, protection of public spaces and enforcement of environmental standards will remain important to maintaining liveable neighbourhoods and supporting long-term property value.

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