The Lagos State Government has called on private businesses, including banks, filling stations, eateries, shopping outlets and other customer-facing organisations, to make their toilet facilities accessible to members of the public as part of a broader campaign to eliminate open defecation and improve sanitation across the state.
The appeal was made by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who disclosed the initiative in a statement shared on Saturday.
According to the commissioner, while the state government has continued to invest in public sanitation infrastructure, stronger collaboration with the private sector is essential to ensure wider access to clean and safe restroom facilities for residents and visitors.
Government Expanding Public Toilet Access
Wahab said the Lagos State Government currently operates 1,710 functional public toilets strategically located in different parts of the state. These facilities are intended to serve densely populated communities, markets, transport corridors and other public spaces where access to sanitation remains a challenge.
Despite this progress, he stressed that the scale of Lagos, with its large and growing population, requires collective action beyond what government alone can provide.
“We currently have 1,710 functioning public toilets strategically located across the state for residents and visitors. However, government cannot do this alone,” he stated.
He explained that encouraging private establishments to voluntarily open their restrooms to the public, where feasible, would significantly complement existing government efforts and reduce the pressure on available public sanitation facilities.
Why Businesses Are Being Targeted
The government’s appeal is directed particularly at organisations that interact daily with the public and maintain accessible premises. These include commercial banks, petrol stations, fast-food outlets, restaurants, supermarkets, malls, event centres and other businesses that already have restroom facilities in place.
Officials believe that allowing controlled public access to such facilities could help address one of the key drivers of open defecation and indiscriminate urination in urban centres—lack of immediate access to toilets.
In a city as large and fast-paced as Lagos, many commuters, traders, transport workers and visitors often spend long hours outside their homes and may struggle to locate available public conveniences when needed.
By making restrooms more accessible, the government hopes to create a sanitation support network across commercial districts and busy transport routes.
Fight Against Open Defecation
The renewed appeal forms part of Lagos State’s larger strategy to eradicate open defecation, improve environmental hygiene, and meet national and international sanitation targets.
Open defecation remains a major public health concern in many urban centres, contributing to environmental pollution, blocked drainage systems, offensive odours and the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid fever.
Wahab stated that the government is not relying solely on advocacy but is also enforcing environmental sanitation laws against violators.
According to him, individuals caught engaging in open defecation are being arrested and prosecuted in line with existing laws.
“These measures are necessary to protect public health, preserve dignity, and maintain a cleaner environment for all,” he said.
The commissioner noted that enforcement is intended not merely as punishment, but as a deterrent aimed at changing behaviour and promoting responsible sanitation practices.
Shared Responsibility for Cleaner Lagos
The commissioner emphasised that sanitation should not be viewed solely as a government obligation, insisting that residents, businesses and institutions all have a role to play in maintaining a healthy environment.
“Access to sanitation is a shared responsibility. While government continues to expand infrastructure, residents and businesses must also play their part in ensuring Lagos remains clean, safe, and habitable,” he added.
This reflects a growing policy direction in which public sanitation is approached through partnerships involving government agencies, local councils, private operators, civil society groups and community leaders.
Urban planning experts have long argued that sustainable sanitation systems require both infrastructure and behavioural change. Toilets may be built, but if they are poorly maintained, inaccessible, expensive or difficult to locate, many people may still resort to unsafe alternatives.
Pressure of Population Growth
Lagos remains one of Africa’s largest and fastest-growing cities, with millions of residents and daily visitors placing enormous pressure on roads, drainage systems, water supply and sanitation infrastructure.
Rapid urbanisation has created sanitation gaps in informal settlements, high-density neighbourhoods and commercial zones where public facilities may not keep pace with demand.
The challenge becomes even greater during heavy traffic periods, market days, festivals and public events, when movement is slow and available facilities are overstretched.
Experts say expanding access through private-sector participation could provide a practical short-term solution while larger infrastructure projects continue.
Benefits to Businesses
Though the initiative is primarily aimed at public health, some analysts believe participating businesses could also benefit through improved public goodwill and stronger corporate social responsibility profiles.
Banks, filling stations and eateries that maintain clean, accessible restrooms may become more attractive to customers and communities, especially in busy areas where sanitation needs are high.
However, stakeholders also note that clear operational guidelines may be needed. These could include maintenance standards, opening hours, security arrangements, water availability and rules governing non-customer access.
Need for Proper Maintenance
Sanitation advocates caution that simply opening toilets to the public is not enough. Facilities must be hygienic, safe, well-ventilated and regularly cleaned if they are to be useful.
Poorly maintained toilets can discourage usage and create new health concerns. For this reason, many observers expect the government to continue public education while possibly introducing recognition schemes or incentives for compliant businesses.
Broader Environmental Agenda
The sanitation campaign aligns with Lagos State’s broader environmental agenda, which includes waste management reforms, drainage clearance, flood control, water resource protection and enforcement of environmental laws.
Authorities have repeatedly stressed that environmental cleanliness is central to economic productivity, tourism, public health and quality of life.
With growing concerns over climate resilience and urban sustainability, sanitation is increasingly seen not as a minor convenience issue but as a critical development priority.
Looking Ahead
The latest appeal by the Lagos State Government signals a more collaborative approach to tackling one of the city’s persistent urban challenges.
By combining public infrastructure with private-sector cooperation and stronger law enforcement, officials hope to significantly reduce open defecation and improve access to sanitation for millions of people.
If widely embraced, the initiative could help transform public hygiene standards across Lagos and serve as a model for other major cities facing similar sanitation pressures.
For residents and visitors alike, the message from government is clear: cleaner cities require shared commitment, practical solutions and collective responsibility.
