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The Lagos State Government has dismissed as misleading criticisms that it lacks a sustainable waste management plan and is ignoring the state’s persistent flooding challenges.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the government’s approach goes beyond emergency refuse evacuation and includes investments aimed at creating a more sustainable waste management system.

Wahab was responding to assertions made by a 2027 governorship candidate during a recent television programme concerning the state’s waste management and flash flood prevention measures.

He said it was important to distinguish between identifying challenges and recognising the concrete measures being implemented to address them.

According to the commissioner, Lagos is investing in Modern Transfer Loading Stations, Material Recovery Facilities, recycling, composting and the Epe waste-to-energy project.

‘Beyond emergency interventions, Lagos is investing in Modern Transfer Loading Stations, Material Recovery Facilities, recycling, composting and the Epe waste-to-energy project,’ Wahab said.

He said the objective was to move away from decades of ‘pick-and-dump’ practices towards a system in which waste could be converted into energy and economic value.

Wahab said Lagos generates an estimated 13,000 to 15,000 tonnes of municipal waste daily, adding that the Lagos Waste Management Authority and Private Sector Participation operators evacuated approximately 418,500 tonnes of waste in May 2026 alone, an average of about 13,200 tonnes daily.

He attributed the growing volume partly to the state’s expanding population and the daily influx of people into Lagos.

The commissioner, however, acknowledged that the scale of waste generated did not mean every resident was receiving satisfactory service.

‘We acknowledge collection failures, underperforming PSP operators and operational bottlenecks,’ he said.

Wahab explained that waste management was an interconnected system in which delays at disposal facilities could affect truck turnaround times, disrupt collection schedules and ultimately lead to refuse accumulation in neighbourhoods.

He cited rehabilitation works at the Olusosun landfill, including Road E and additional disposal platforms, as measures that had improved operational efficiency. According to him, truck movements across disposal facilities rose to 1,866 in the week following the intervention, while Olusosun recorded an increase from 574 to 1,012 trips.

He said the state was also strengthening property enumeration, geocoded service locations, GPS tracking, weighbridge measurements, collection records and recovery data, while reforming the PSP system and sanctioning or terminating operators where necessary.

On flooding, Wahab said the state had invested in drainage infrastructure, pump stations, year-round maintenance, flood abatement operations, restrictions on styrofoam and single-use plastics, wetland preservation and the removal of structures on floodplains.

He said these interventions had reportedly reduced flooding incidents by 75 to 80 per cent statewide, arguing that it was therefore misleading to suggest that the government was ignoring the problem.

The commissioner acknowledged that Lagos still faced significant flooding challenges, but attributed some of the difficulties to the state’s coastal geography, tidal locks and the growing effects of climate change.

He maintained that even resilient drainage infrastructure could not completely eliminate flash flooding in a coastal megacity.

‘While challenges remain, the evidence of sustained interventions must form part of the conversation. Flooding is a global coastal challenge, not one peculiar to Lagos,’ Wahab said.

He argued that discussions about the state’s environmental challenges should focus on measurable outcomes, including tonnes of waste collected, completed routes, missed collections, complaint resolution, recurring refuse blackspots and the volume of waste diverted from landfills.

Wahab said the government was also examining whether households had assigned waste collectors, whether operators were adequately equipped, whether scheduled routes were completed and whether complaints from residents were being addressed.

He added that the state must also determine how collected waste was treated, recovered or disposed of, stressing that emergency refuse evacuation should not become a substitute for reliable daily collection.

The commissioner said Lagos still had substantial work to do but insisted that portraying the government as doing nothing ignored ongoing investments, infrastructure development and operational reforms.

‘Criticism should be informed by geography, climate realities and the progress already recorded, not political rhetoric,’ he said.

President Bola Tinubu has commended Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, his Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on her efforts to accelerate Nigeria’s progress towards the achievement of the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda with a focus on ‘Leaving No One Behind.’

President Tinubu gave the commendation in a birthday congratulatory message to Princess Orelope-Adefulire, on Tuesday.

In the message signed by Bayo Onanuga, his spokesperson, President Tinubu described Princess Orelope-Adefulire, also a deputy Governor of Lagos State, as a dedicated public servant and development advocate whose contributions continue to support Nigeria’s inclusive and sustainable development efforts.

President Tinubu also lauded her commitment to advancing the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria, particularly initiatives targeted at improving the welfare and living conditions of vulnerable citizens and communities.

‘I commend Princess Orelope-Adefulire’s efforts in the creation of the Presidential Council on SDGs and other advocacy groups to accelerate Nigeria’s progress towards the achievement of the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda with a focus on ‘Leaving No One Behind.’

‘I believe she will continue to bring her experience, passion and commitment to bear in supporting the administration’s development agenda and Nigeria’s broader aspirations for sustainable growth. I wish her good health, wisdom, strength and many more years of purposeful service to our nation and humanity,’ the President says.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repatriated Bili, a rescued female baby gorilla, from Lagos, to its original home in the Republic of Congo.

The repatriation took place between 22nd and 28th September 2026 through the NCS Special Wildlife Office (SWO) under the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU),

Abdullahi Maiwada, the spokesperson for Nigeria Customs Service confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday.

He indicated that, the operation is the Service’s first international full-cycle wildlife operation, covering interception, rescue, rehabilitation with the safe return of the trafficked animal to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga, Département du Kouilou, Pointe-Noire, in the Republic of Congo.

‘It is pertinent to note that Bili was rescued in August 2023 by officers of the Service during enforcement operations against wildlife trafficking and subsequently placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation, Calabar, for rehabilitation.

‘After a DNA test confirmed Bili is from the Republic of Congo, officials arranged his repatriation from Calabar to Lagos, then airlifted him to the Congo by DHL at no cost, accompanied by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor.

In line with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the repatriation was supported by the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment, as the gorilla (Bili) is listed under Appendix I of CITES and is therefore afforded the highest level of protection as a species threatened with extinction.

‘Moreover, as a signatory to CITES, Nigeria continues to demonstrate its commitment to the protection of endangered species and the responsible enforcement of international wildlife protection obligations.

‘Through the SWO, the Service remains committed to strengthening its enforcement capabilities to disrupt wildlife trafficking networks and to building partnerships that ensure rescued animals receive proper care and are safely returned to their appropriate destinations and natural habitats.

‘Bili’s repatriation therefore represents the culmination of interception, rescue, rehabilitation, and international cooperation in protecting endangered wildlife, ‘ the Statement stated.

Maiwada stated that the repatriation of the gorilla was done amid intensified enforcement against illegal wildlife trade by Customs operatives across the country.

He noted that between January and September 2026, the SWO and Customs Area Commands recorded 22 wildlife seizures, rescued 699 live animals and arrested 11 suspects.

‘ The seizures included 220 kilogrammes of pangolin scales, 48 elephant tusks and 219.05 kilogrammes of worked ivory, alongside various live endangered and protected species intercepted across different locations. Enforcement operations during the period included seizures and rescues in Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna, and Lagos, among other locations.’

According to him, notable interventions included the rescue of pangolins, primates, lion cubs, hyenas, crowned cranes, tortoises, gorillas and chimpanzees, as well as the interception of 440 African mud turtles and 90 ostrich chicks in September.

The operations also led to arrests linked to wildlife trafficking, further demonstrating the Service’s sustained efforts to disrupt the illegal wildlife trade.

Maiwada said the Service under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team acknowledged the invaluable support of the Pandrillus Foundation, DHL, Focused Conservation, the Aspinall Wildlife Trust, the CITES Desk of the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Government of the Republic of Congo for welcoming Bili home.

He reaffirmed that the Service is not only focused on revenue generation but also on national security and the protection of the environment.

The Customs spokesperson therefore urged members of the public to report any information on illegal wildlife trade to the nearest Customs formation.

The Federal Government has declared Thursday, October 1, 2026, a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced the public holiday in a statement issued on Wednesday by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani.

In the statement, Tunji-Ojo congratulated Nigerians at home and abroad on the 66th Independence anniversary.

He also urged citizens to use the occasion to reaffirm their commitment to national unity, patriotism, peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.

While noting that peace and stability remained essential to national development, Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to emulate the country’s founding fathers by demonstrating commitment to the nation’s progress.

‘As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we should always remember that there is hope for our country and our diversity is our strength, and our collective determination remains the foundation upon which a stronger and more prosperous nation will be built,’ he said.

The Minister also assured Nigerians that the Federal Government remained committed to strengthening national security, enhancing public safety and creating an environment where citizens could live, work and pursue their legitimate aspirations with confidence.

Tunji-Ojo added that the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda would continue to pursue measures aimed at building a better Nigeria for all citizens.

He appealed to Nigerians to use the Independence Day celebration as an opportunity to strengthen national cohesion and promote peaceful coexistence across the country.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has intensified enforcement against illegal street trading, dislodging traders occupying road corridors and other unauthorised spaces around Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) and the Costain Under Bridge/National Theatre axis.

The operation, carried out in collaboration with the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), targeted traders whose activities were obstructing pedestrian and vehicular movement along the affected corridors.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said on Tuesday that the enforcement formed part of the authority’s sustained efforts to protect public spaces, improve environmental cleanliness and ensure that roads and walkways are used for their intended purposes.

Gbadegesin said the occupation of road corridors and pedestrian walkways by traders not only undermined the orderly use of public spaces but also contributed to environmental nuisance in the affected areas.

He warned traders against returning to road corridors, walkways and other unauthorised locations, urging them to operate only from designated and approved trading areas.

According to him, maintaining orderly public spaces requires continuous compliance with environmental regulations and sustained enforcement by relevant authorities.

‘LAWMA will continue to work with relevant government agencies to address activities that undermine environmental standards and public order,’ he said.

The enforcement comes as the authority seeks to maintain cleaner and more accessible public spaces along busy Lagos corridors, where the presence of roadside traders can affect the movement of pedestrians and vehicles.

Gbadegesin urged residents and other stakeholders to support the enforcement efforts by complying with established regulations and refraining from activities that obstruct public spaces or contribute to environmental degradation.

He also said LAWMA would continue to monitor the affected areas to prevent the return of illegal trading activities and ensure sustained compliance.

The authority said the latest operation was part of its broader enforcement activities aimed at maintaining environmental standards and protecting public spaces across Lagos.

The Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District, Olubiyi Fadeyi Ajagunla, popularly called ‘Mr Project’ by his admirers, has flagged off construction and installation of a 7.5MVA transformer substation unit in Oke-Ejigbo, Ila-Orangun, in a move aimed at improving electricity supply and boosting economic activity in the area.

The project, according to the senator, is expected to address persistent power challenges in Ila-Orangun and its surrounding communities, which have struggled with low voltage and frequent outages.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony on Monday, Ajagunla said the project was part of his commitment to delivering tangible infrastructure that would improve the lives of his constituents.

He explained that the new substation would increase the distribution capacity available to the area, stabilise electricity supply and support small businesses, artisans and households that depend on reliable power.

‘The people of Ila-Orangun and the entire Osun Central deserve reliable electricity. This project is not about politics; it is about development. When power improves, businesses grow, jobs are created and families live better,’ Ajagunla stated.

The senator also said he had facilitated other projects across the senatorial district, including road construction, educational support, healthcare interventions and empowerment programmes, adding that more projects were in the pipeline.

Community leaders and residents at the ceremony commended him for the initiative, describing the project as a long-overdue intervention. They said the new transformer substation would bring relief to homes, schools, hospitals and businesses that had relied on generators for years.

The contractor handling the project assured the community that work would be completed within the stipulated timeframe and appealed for the cooperation of residents.

Ajagunla urged the community to take ownership of the project and protect the installation from vandalism, stressing that such infrastructure must be safeguarded for the benefit of present and future generations.

The senator also restated his commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu and Governor Ademola Adeleke in their efforts to deliver development across the state.

FirstBank of Nigeria has reacted a recent voice message circulating on WhatsApp alleging that the FirstMobile application has been compromised.

The commercial bank in an official statement, announced that the claim is false and misleading. They stressed their commitment to ensuring a secure mobile operation, assuring their customers of a safe mobile experience.

‘We wish to state unequivocally that the claim is false and misleading. FirstMobile is secure and fully operational, supported by robust information security infrastructure. The Bank continuously invests in world-class technology, cybersecurity protocols to ensure the highest standards of resilience, reliability, and security across all our digital channels’

‘We assure our customers and other stakeholders that their funds remain safe and secure, and that the FirstMobile application and all other FirstBank digital channels continue to operate securely’

‘We urge our stakeholders to disregard the fraudulent message and refrain from sharing unverified information that may cause unnecessary concern, and to rely solely on FirstBank’s verified communication channels for accurate updates,’ the statement reads.

Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has been featured in promotional materials by an Indian hospital following his knee replacement surgery at the facility.

The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows the former Nigerian leader receiving care at Krishna Shalby Hospital in Ahmedabad, India, including footage of him walking and undergoing rehabilitation exercises after the procedure.

The hospital has used images and videos of Abdulsalami’s recovery to promote its services to international patients, highlighting the treatment as an example of its healthcare offerings.

In an Instagram post on Monday, the Indian hospital said Vice President Kashim Shettima visited the facility and met with its management to discuss Abdulsalami’s progress and wellbeing.

The hospital described the visit as a reflection of ‘growing trust in India’s healthcare’ and its commitment to treating patients from across the world.

‘When patients travel across borders for specialised care, their trust means everything,’ the hospital said.

It is not immediately clear whether Abdulsalami’s treatment was fully sponsored by the Nigerian government.

However, under the Remuneration of Former Presidents and Heads of State (and Other Ancillary Matters) Act, former Nigerian leaders and their immediate families are entitled to medical treatment abroad where necessary at the expense of the Federal Government.

The law also provides other benefits, including diplomatic passports, security, official vehicles, accommodation and other privileges.

The 2026 federal budget reportedly allocated N2.3 billion for the entitlements of former presidents, heads of state and their deputies.

The hospital’s use of Abdulsalami’s treatment in its promotional material has sparked reactions from Nigerians, with some questioning the development against the backdrop of Nigeria’s healthcare challenges.

Activist and presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore shared the promotional video on X, criticising the continued reliance of Nigerian leaders on foreign healthcare systems despite their years in public service.

‘This is former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, being used in a hospital advert after undergoing knee replacement surgery in India,’ Sowore said.

He questioned why former leaders who had opportunities to improve Nigeria’s healthcare system continue to seek specialised treatment abroad.

Barrister Aloy Ejimafor also reacted to the development, describing the hospital’s use of Abdulsalami’s image as a ‘diplomatic insult’ in a Facebook post.

The controversy comes amid renewed debate over medical tourism by Nigerian political leaders.

Critics have long argued that the frequent treatment of Nigerian public officials abroad highlights weaknesses in the country’s healthcare system, while government officials have continued to point to gaps in specialised medical services.

In April 2025, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, said Nigeria loses an estimated $2 billion annually to medical tourism, attributing the trend to gaps in confidence, access and quality of healthcare services.

‘This is not just about stopping medical tourism. It is about building health sovereignty, the ability of a country to care for its own people, develop its institutions, talent, and innovation,’ Pate said.

The presidential candidate of National Democratic Congress, NDC in the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has decried the condition of displaced people living in Ramin Kura Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Sokoto State.

Peter Obi visited the IDP camp after holding town hall meetings and consultations with various groups in Sokoto State on his 2027 presidential ambition.

The NDC presidential candidate, in a post on his social media platforms on Wednesday, said his discussions with various groups centred on insecurity, the high number of out-of-school children, endemic poverty, youth unemployment, drug prevalence and other challenges facing residents in that part of the country.

The presidential candidate who is also a former governor of Anambra State said final engagement in Sokoto was a visit to the Ramin Kura IDP Camp within the Sokoto metropolis.

He noted that the camp currently houses over 1,000 internally displaced persons.

‘During my tour of the facility, I found it particularly distressing to see Nigerians crammed into makeshift shelters and thatched rooms, with some rooms housing as many as 10 persons,’ Obi stated.

According to him, the camp also lacks adequate toilet facilities, a primary healthcare centre and even a basic school for the children.

Obi reiterated the need to tackle the root causes of displacement while making the IDP camps conducive.

‘I have always insisted that as long as even one Nigerian lives in an IDP camp, we are all internally displaced. Therefore, the government of today must work assiduously to make the temporary accommodation for our dear citizens living in these camps comfortable, while ensuring that all the underlying security issues that created these conditions in the first place are resolved, to enable them to return to their ancestral homes.’

He disclosed that the Sokoto visit marked his 12th to IDP camps across Nigeria and reaffirmed his commitment to continuously supporting the affected Nigerians ‘for as long as it takes.’

Obi further urged political office holders to holiday within the country so they can ‘see first-hand the difficulties faced by these fellow Nigerians, whose vulnerability has been worsened by the failure of government to prioritise critical areas of development.’

He called on the government and relevant agencies to immediately look into the plight of the citizens and address their pressing needs.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed into law the Appropriation (Amendment) (No.4) Bill, 2025, extending the implementation period of the 2025 budget from September 30, 2026 to December 31, 2026.

The assent followed the amendment’s swift passage by both the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

The extension gives Ministries, Departments and Agencies more time to complete ongoing capital projects. It ensures that funds already appropriated are fully put to work for Nigerians, without disrupting critical programmes.

The President commended the leadership and members of the National Assembly for their prompt consideration of the bill, a further sign of the cooperation between the Executive and the Legislature in the service of the nation.