Environmental sustainability and youth participation are crucial to improving public health and community development in Lagos State, stakeholders have said.
Speaking on The Conversation on Lagos Television, Bashorun Nureni Oladimeji, Media Aide to the President of the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN), Lagos Chapter, and Suliyat Oguns, Member of the Lagos Youth Parliament, stressed the need for stronger collaboration between government, environmental professionals and residents to build a cleaner and healthier Lagos.
Oladimeji noted that the state’s growing population has increased pressure on environmental health systems, making it necessary to expand the number of environmental health officers responsible for monitoring sanitation standards in communities.
He explained that routine environmental inspections should be proactive rather than reactive, helping to identify sanitation challenges before they become public health threats.
According to him, environmental sanitation is a shared responsibility and should not be left to government alone. He encouraged residents to adopt proper waste disposal practices and actively participate in community sanitation efforts.
Oladimeji also advocated improved waste management systems, including better waste sorting and disposal infrastructure, to encourage greater public participation and reduce pressure on government agencies.
On climate action, he described trees as critical environmental infrastructure, urging residents to value tree planting beyond ceremonial events.
“We need to see trees as infrastructure,” he said, adding that planting trees should be viewed as an investment in the future because they improve air quality, reduce environmental degradation and help mitigate climate change.
He further encouraged communities to embrace tree planting, noting that trees provide oxygen and contribute significantly to healthier living environments.
Speaking on youth involvement, Oguns highlighted the important role young people can play in promoting environmental sustainability and community development.
She noted that although Lagos has continued to promote environmental initiatives such as Tree Planting Day, more public awareness is needed to help residents understand that planting trees is about protecting future generations rather than creating photo opportunities.
Oguns urged young people to become actively involved in environmental campaigns, community projects and policy implementation, saying youth participation remains essential to achieving lasting environmental change.
She added that empowering young people to take ownership of environmental initiatives would strengthen civic responsibility, improve community participation and bridge the gap between government policies and grassroots implementation.
The stakeholders also called for stronger collaboration among environmental agencies, youth organisations and local governments to improve sanitation, promote environmental education and encourage sustainable development across Lagos State.
The discussion formed part of The Conversation on Lagos Television, where experts examined practical strategies for strengthening environmental health, encouraging youth civic engagement and building cleaner, greener and more sustainable communities across the state.
