Anyone moving around Lagos lately has likely noticed it: refuse heaps sitting on roadsides, at bus stops, and along drainage channels for days, sometimes weeks, before they're cleared. Waste evacuation across the state has been badly disrupted in recent months, with the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) itself acknowledging a backlog driven by ageing landfill sites, heavy rainfall damaging access roads, and a shortage of compactor trucks relative to the volume of waste Lagos produces every day.
Whatever the cause, the effect on the ground is the same — uncollected waste sitting in public and residential areas for longer than it should. And that has real consequences for health. Here's what to know, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family while the system catches up.
Why Uncollected Waste Is a Health Problem
1. It breeds disease-carrying insects and rodents
Stagnant water pooling in waste heaps is a prime breeding ground for mosquitoes, raising the risk of malaria and dengue in the surrounding area. Piled refuse also attracts rats and other rodents, which can spread diseases like leptospirosis through contact with contaminated water or soil.
2. It contaminates food and water
Flies that settle on exposed waste often move directly onto food being sold or prepared nearby, carrying bacteria that cause typhoid fever, cholera, and other gastrointestinal infections. Leachate — the liquid that seeps out of decomposing waste — can also work its way into shallow wells, boreholes, and open water sources used for drinking or washing.
3. It worsens flooding, which brings its own risks
When waste blocks drains and gutters, even moderate rainfall can back up and flood streets and compounds. Floodwater that has mixed with refuse and sewage is a serious source of waterborne illness and skin infections, and standing water left behind after flooding becomes yet another mosquito breeding site.
4. Burning waste pollutes the air
In the absence of timely collection, it's common for people to burn refuse to get rid of it. This releases smoke containing fine particulates and toxic compounds that can trigger or worsen asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions, especially in children and the elderly.
5. It poses direct injury risk
Loose refuse often contains broken glass, sharp metal, and other hazardous material. Cuts and puncture wounds from contact with waste can become infected quickly in Lagos's heat and humidity if not properly cleaned and treated.
How to Stay Safe While Evacuation Remains Unreliable
Store waste properly at home. Use bins with tight-fitting lids rather than leaving bags exposed. This limits access for flies, rodents, and stray animals, and reduces odour and leachate runoff.
Don't burn your refuse. It feels like a quick fix, but the smoke does more harm than the waste sitting a little longer. If collection is delayed, keep waste contained and covered instead.
Keep drains around your home clear. Regularly clear leaves, waste, and debris from gutters near your compound so rainwater has somewhere to go, even if refuse is piling up nearby.
Avoid direct contact with waste. If you must handle refuse — bagging it, moving it, or clearing a blocked drain — wear gloves and closed shoes, and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
Protect against mosquitoes. Use treated nets, screens, and repellents, particularly if there's stagnant water or uncollected waste near your home.
Be extra careful with food and water hygiene. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, avoid food sold uncovered near refuse sites, and boil or treat water if you have any doubt about its source.
Report rather than dump. If your PSP (Private Sector Participation) waste operator misses a collection, LAWMA has said it targets a 48-hour response time for complaints and can send backup collection. Reporting a missed pickup is safer for everyone than adding to a roadside heap, which only compounds the problem.
Know the warning signs. Persistent fever, diarrhoea that doesn't improve, unusual fatigue, or a wound that becomes red, swollen, or warm are all reasons to seek medical attention promptly rather than wait it out.
When to See a Doctor
If you or a family member develops symptoms like persistent fever, prolonged diarrhoea or vomiting, unexplained skin infections, or breathing difficulties, don't self-medicate and hope it passes — especially in a season where exposure to contaminated waste and floodwater is more likely. Early diagnosis makes a real difference with conditions like typhoid, cholera, and malaria, all of which are treatable when caught early.
This post reflects the general public health situation in Lagos as waste evacuation services work through current delays. It is not a substitute for individual medical advice — please consult a healthcare professional for concerns specific to you or your family.