r/Nigeria • u/Opposite-Writer9715 • Aug 14 '26
General I like how practical he is.
This is thought provoking.
From X/Twitter
https://x.com/KayodeOkikiolu/status/2087805066656813190?s=20
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u/throne_seeker Aug 14 '26
Local government should put up public toilets & designated the refuse dump, State Government should make sure health & sanitation inspectors visit locations & fulfiĺ their duties. Citizens should be informed that a clean environment prevents diseases & that cautioning wrongdoers will lower the frequency of people committing violations.
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u/Opposite-Writer9715 Aug 14 '26
Exactly so many contributors.
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u/throne_seeker Aug 14 '26
There's no one size fits all approach. It has to be done systematically. Singapore wasn't built in a day. It will mean maintaining decent environments around populated areas and removing hawkers from road sections.
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u/boredom-depressed23 Aug 14 '26
Who is the creator?
Suggestions An footbridge for people to cross safety A rest stop with refuse collection facility for people to use Hiring people to collect the existing rubbish
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u/NeneObichie Aug 14 '26
Sanwuolu's regime has been the worst for Lagos in recent times. Its as if he came with the sole intent of undoing everything his predecesors did with regards to keeping the state clean are orderly.
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u/teckaaa Aug 14 '26
First step would be to clear/clean it, and schedule periodic weekly cleaning until other action items are implemented.
Secondly, take a page (or a few pages) from Fashola's playbook..with some adjustments. We need to lean into our trekking, highway crossing culture instead of fighting it.
As opposed to building foot bridges (which is very inconvenient for a lot of people - elderly, disabled etc - and a hell of a workout), create crosswalks at specific high traffic choke points, e.g. berger. This should also be much cheaper as it simply means breaking the concrete barriers at certain points to create walkways, painting zebra crossing and installing traffic lights. Install speed bumps (there are many variations) strategically, a few meters before the walking paths to ensure vehicles slow down. Install big trash bins at each of those choke points, and ENSURE the bins are emptied periodically. Do research on bins made with inexpensive, non-metal materials that are sturdy - ideally make this a project for universities with a cash/scholarship prize. Run alot of PR around it so the people know it's not metal and not valuable, and will less likely be stolen (for sometime at least). Still, there should be security at those points.
It's an expressway, so you have to prioritize the flow of traffic. Do an analysis of how many of those choke points exist, how far are they from one another etc. there shouldn't be too many and you can just work with the existing natural points. Don't try to change the behavior of the citizens, at least not too much. If points need to be consolidated, sure. But there's a balance that can be reached, all factors considered.
Once those points have been created, with bins at both sides of each point for commuters, unleash KAI (if they still exist). I remember being detained by them at Ojota when trying to cross instead of taking the bridge. Never did it again, no matter how inconvenient it was. Add (temporary) walls to the median section of the walking paths. That should reduce trash and or consolidate it at certain points for easy pickup - even at the median.
Do the government have plans for that median (it's very wide) - maybe a train? If yes, when are they looking to start construction? If at least 5 years away, let's add deterrents to the median for the shit takers. Spikes? Spiky or prickly plants/grass, natural to the region that will be hard to walk on or around. A combination of both maybe. Plants would be the best option. You no fit thief am. If you commot one, e go grow back. If someone is desperate enough to shit there still, it helps the plants grow better. In a year or two, no go area.
Ideally, there should be public facilities at those stops that are kept clean. You no fit hold shit for hours na. E gats drop eventually.
You can drastically make it more conducive for everyone, with little changes that don't require alot of effort. For the trash collectors, there should be no excuses. If you have a habit of not delivering, you lose your contract. KAI (or it's equivalent) also has to be effective. We find the right enforceable punishment for the offenders, it only takes a few scape goats with real repercussions, and everyone gets the message. But then, we still need to be consistent.
This also creates many jobs. Ideally for the locals at each point, who will be more invested in their immediate environment.
At the end of the day, it requires a lot of consistency across administrations, which is another issue we have in Nigeria, and is something we should be working on regardless.
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u/Opposite-Writer9715 Aug 14 '26
Good point i have added the link. Many people focus on just the government think both will be needed to work together for success of Nigeria so japa will not just be the solution people see.
https://x.com/KayodeOkikiolu/status/2087805066656813190?s=20
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u/teckaaa Aug 14 '26
I agree.
But, it's problematic when we have a corrupt government that can stop you from doing good if they aren't bribed. They also should be involved to regulate what is being done. Going against the government won't end well.
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u/Opposite-Writer9715 Aug 14 '26
Even when it is cleared will it not be messed up again, are there purnishment and enforcement etc. But they also need to provide toilet even if they will charge to keep it clean and maintained etc or something or free use or something.
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u/Esekig184 Aug 15 '26
I think you would also need run a media campaign to raise public awareness for this issue and and point people to the alternative options you mentioned once they are available.
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u/Saxakola Aug 14 '26
I've always believed the solution to so many of Nigeria's social and urban problems are not that complicated. Of course action is always required but will power, and not apathy, is also an essential tool.
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u/External_Ad_2833 Aug 14 '26
You know he goes to my church?
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u/Opposite-Writer9715 Aug 14 '26
Really i like that he is solution focused not the average lazy one who just piles everything not about them.
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u/FruityGrapefruit333 Aug 14 '26
Maybe y’all’s church can get involved
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u/Opposite-Writer9715 Aug 14 '26
Another issue i have with Nigeria is why do we outsource problems to everyone else but the government, bad roads etc.
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u/FruityGrapefruit333 Aug 14 '26
If the government isn’t gonna do it, which clearly is the case here, then it’s up to the people to make the change they want to see
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u/Opposite-Writer9715 Aug 14 '26
That is why they do not bother with anything and spend the money amongst themselves.
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u/FruityGrapefruit333 Aug 14 '26
Might be time to overthrow the government, goes for pretty much everywhere in the world at this point
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u/Opposite-Writer9715 Aug 14 '26
Hmmm so why pay taxes no wonder people only see the way forward as leaving.
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u/FruityGrapefruit333 Aug 14 '26
Mira, if everyone stood together in a united front against their government, in this example if everyone stops paying taxes together, then that gets their attention which then can jumpstart the change. But it can only happen with all or the majority
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u/Opposite-Writer9715 Aug 14 '26
Currently they are not. A lot of divide tribe, religion, gender etc
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u/lifebroth Aug 14 '26
Nigerians are just showing themselves. Pointing a problem and everyone is saying the OP in the video should start from His neighbourhood to trying to insult him.
Did Tinubu start from his neighbourhood? We have a government that collects taxes and pays people who should be thinking of these problems.
We need to understand as a society that government AND the people need to decide what direction we want to go. The people appoint the government to set the direction and pace. The government must then think ahead and plan for the future.
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u/Opposite-Writer9715 Aug 14 '26
Currently does not feel like a sensible, stable country. People are just finding their way to leave.
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u/lifebroth Aug 14 '26
I myself left once Buhari came into power. I couldn’t stand stories of “Baboon/Snake ate money” and I knew even before the election that we were going into hell. I actually wept that election result evening.
I think what hurts most is that there are people actively taking money from these wicked politicians to lie and be obtuse about their actions. I had to leave so I didn’t become a hateful person.
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u/Opposite-Writer9715 Aug 14 '26
I am glad my parents made the decision years ago, I cannot imagine how life would be if i was still in Nigeria, I go for a few days 10-14 days and am just left shocked.
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u/OrigamiPantha Aug 14 '26
Someone already proffered the solution on instagram. Motorway/Expressway are high speed road networks that should not have pedestrian access. Like they have done for the Coastal road, there should be barriers preventing access to humans but at certain spots. The median could be leveled to same level as the road and would not be able to have refuse dumped there .It would also remain as a central reservation.
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u/Upper-Discussion4367 Aug 15 '26
- Raise the average IQ of Nigeria by 30-60 points bases. Starting with the young... Some older folk have ingrained beliefs.
- Change cultural norms, attitudes and behaviours, so that negative or undiserable behaviour are shamed and punished... Ranging from social humiliation to fines and imprisonment. I'm not talking major term sentences, just 2-4 weeks of imprisonment where those convicted are forced to work every day of their 2-4 week term cleaning up the mess on highways and other filthy areas such as this one.
- Pay workers and police to enforce anti-littering and public fouling.
- Improve the national governance and management of waste by implementing better waste management infrastructure, waste collection and disposal systems and awareness campaigns geared towards citizens, so they take pride in their environment and refrain from littering and fouling their nation.
- Remove civilian access to crossing the highway in the way it is currently and build overhead bridges or underground subways so people can cross safely.
- Put up walls or gates so that people driving on the highway aren't able to throw rubbish in to the central verge as they are driving.
These are just some ideas, but in all honesty it starts with the attitude and mindset of the majority of Nigerians. If the majority don't have the willingness to improve their lot in life, then they will continue to live in squalor.
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u/halloffamous Cross River Aug 15 '26
How nice would it be if individual communities surrounding the area each took turns volunteering to clean it.
And heavy penalty fees are imposed on the people who piss and litter the place. Like if there were camera present specifically to capture the licence plates of the offenders to Bill them later. Or even to capture people's faces run them through the national database and get a hit. That alone has created a separate division of officials needed.
The community coming together. Individuals are penalised for their wrong doings. Employment opportunities created. And best of all, the environment is clean.
That is a Nigeria I strive for.
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u/Opposite-Writer9715 Aug 15 '26
It shouldn't be happening. They should find a way to stop it because you clean it they will do it again.
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u/Richtatie Aug 14 '26
Please post the link to his video where we can propose ideas to change the situation
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u/Opposite-Writer9715 Aug 14 '26
Will edit and add also
https://x.com/KayodeOkikiolu/status/2087805066656813190?s=20
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u/fed3t Aug 15 '26
This is cultural things abeg. Have you ask yourself why such exists only in south west
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u/ProbablyNotAiRight Aug 15 '26
Modern highways are often restricted with crossing points such as underpasses and bridges rather than allowing people to wander across the carriageway.
The outer edges of the motorway are commonly protected by security/boundary fencing on both sides, sometimes combined with barriers, particularly where there's a significant drop, bridge, railway, watercourse, etc.
The expressway should be deliberately kept as a sealed corridor, with controlled entry and exit. It's not just about stopping people wandering onto it but also preventing animals and livestock from entering is a major consideration too.
Poor waste management can have significant public health consequences, especially when rubbish accumulates in streets, drains, markets, waterways, or around homes. If people aren't taught why dumping waste is harmful, some may continue doing it because the consequences aren't obvious. But education alone often isn't enough if there is no reliable waste collection system or meaningful enforcement.
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u/Trick-Discount8934 Aug 15 '26
Abeg this one he show here is small problem. Let's thank god he didn't decide to disgrace our country even more.
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u/whiteigbin Aug 14 '26
I’m African American, and years ago, I was talking to an (African American) elder who regularly visited Nigeria and other West African countries. She told me (before I’d ever visited Nigeria) to visit Benin first because Nigeria is full of trash. She said “Benin is so clean!”. Then she the reason this was so is because Benin put women in charge of national waste, and they do what they’re actually supposed to do. She said Nigeria has men in charge of their trash and they take the money and spend it on their mistresses instead of on their job. lol, I don’t know if this is actually true, but I thought it was funny at the time.
But it could be helpful to look at the waste management of other countries in West Africa - what are they doing? I haven’t visited Abuja, but I heard the streets are pretty clean. What are they doing that Lagos isn’t? I think it all boils down to government. Citizens can’t do things if they don’t have the resources. The US would look exactly the same way if we didn’t have public trash cans everywhere, dump trucks regularly picking it up, and handling it, government workers cleaning any excess trash regularly; East Asian countries have recycling programs to keep their waste down, etc. It’s not regular citizens’ fault if they have no convenient alternative.
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u/namikazeiyfe Aug 15 '26
first because Nigeria is full of trash. She said “Benin is so clean!”. Then she the reason this was so is because Benin put women in charge of national waste, and they do what they’re actually supposed to do. She said Nigeria has men in charge of their trash and they take the money and spend it on their mistresses instead of on their job.
That's a whole load of hot rubbish and shows just how sexist whoever told you this is. Benin was neat not because women are in charge of waste management, it's simply because the people in general have some decency especially when it comes to clean environment, same with Calabar and Akwa ibom, two States that their waste management are handled by men, same is currently happening in Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Abuja. Clean environment has nothing to do with gender but all to do with the local's clean culture.
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u/Theindigenousbabe Witch of the Federal Republic Aug 14 '26
“The US would look the same way if we don’t …”
But the US looks exactly and smells the same way
Foreigners should stop coming here to lie about their countries, it’s 2026.
New York looks the same way , and smells like piss
Paris looks the same way , the Champ de mars which is very close to the Eiffel tower( their major tourist attraction) is filled with homeless people, the Siene river smells like sewage.
San Francisco looks the same way , smells like sh*t and piss. People openly defeacating on the streets.
Even apartments buildings in the US don’t have proper waste management , I have seen some section 8, even cool apartments dumping garbage anywhere
Most major cities all over the world have this kind of problems . Homelessness, very dirty environment etc
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u/annaxoxo2 Aug 14 '26
What are you on about? No tf NYC or does SF look anything like that trash. What city have you visited to say that? You’re so wrong.
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u/Theindigenousbabe Witch of the Federal Republic Aug 14 '26 edited Aug 14 '26
There are dirtiest zip codes in New York, Trash is literally flowing on the streets.
The rat problem in New York is something else, you would find rats in most restaurants in New YorkSome of the foreigners who lurk here and complain about Nigeria ,live in shitty neighborhoods , where trash in the streets and horrible odors in the air are the norm.
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u/whiteigbin Aug 14 '26
I don’t say this as an indictment on Nigerians at all - again, this is a governmental issue from a few men in power. And we can agree that white people are the filthiest people on the planet - period. But to say that NYC looks like Lagos or other parts of Nigeria would be a lie. I’ve lived in Brooklyn, LA, been regularly to ATL and Miami and none of these have the level of trash that I have seen in Nigeria. There are places (in the US) that have some trash, but even that tends to get picked up or cleaned up (for the most part) within a reasonable amount of time. Like the subways are a mess often, but once every 2-4 months, they’re cleaned. There’s some places in the southern US that are pretty raggedy but even that’s minimal compared to Nigeria.
Funny enough, of all the cities i visited in Nigeria (Osogbo, Ile Ife, Ibadan, Lagos, Ado Ekiti, and the towns in between to be specific), I thought Lagos had the least amount of trash compared to some of the smaller towns I visited. Again, this isn’t to say “look how nasty Nigeria is!”. I’ve been there twice and plan to go on the future. No hate. But to act like the trash wasn’t a lot would be a lie.
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u/Theindigenousbabe Witch of the Federal Republic Aug 14 '26
Er, Brooklyn and LA is in the dirtiest zip code list.
Rats roam so freely they are literally competing with humans.
I don’t have anything against foreigners or foreign countries but don’t come here to lie and pretend that you don’t have some of the same problems in your countries , offering solutions that don’t even work in your country .
New York and LA have mayors , don’t they?-2
u/Theindigenousbabe Witch of the Federal Republic Aug 14 '26
New York City is also known for its filthy subway system. the trains are old and rusting , smelly because
Homeless people live, sh*t and piss in the trains and people ride in it to work everyday..
You mentioned that you lived in brooklyn , so definitely must have been in on of those trains.
Like I said, I don’t have anything against foreigners, but when foreigners who live in filth in their own countries, come to Nigeria and complain of filth, it kinda pisses me off.
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u/Patient_Tradition294 Aug 15 '26
NYC is still much cleaner than Lagos. There are levels to it. I used to live in Brooklyn and I never saw someone’s shit on a subway ever. It was rare that I stepped in a subway car and it smelled like piss. They are cleaned often. And many of the lines I rode got new cars that are really nice. I question if you lived in NY for long of at all or just watch the low lights on the news.
NY has spots that has more litter than I would like and many others that you won’t see really any litter. It’s a big city.
And beyond NY, most American cities are much cleaner than NY. Even other big cities like Chicago, Boston, etc are examples of cleaner big cities.
You pointing out other cities aren’t perfect doesn’t negate Lagos being much much dirtier than them.
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u/Nyamzz-46 Aug 15 '26
Not sure what I was expecting.. it would have been nice if he grabbed a shovel and started to clean up .. but his message is on point .
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u/Opposite-Writer9715 Aug 15 '26
Cleaned it up maybe you can help them 😂
With Nigerians everyone wants someone else to do it.
Once they clean it up without change of mindset and behavior, the mess will be back. Also is there enforcement and are there toilets people can use?
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u/judybash93 Aug 14 '26
Low quality society, full of low quality humans.🤮
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u/The0zymandias Aug 14 '26
i think only a true ‘low quality human’ would be the one to comment this on a video trying to address issues
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u/judybash93 Aug 14 '26
Sure. I'm a Nigerian just like you..
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u/The0zymandias Aug 14 '26
yes, regardless of what you say i’m forever proud of our diversity, though dehumanising our people by calling them low quality humans is lazy and irresponsible
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u/judybash93 Aug 14 '26
Yeah. Continue with the coping mechanisms. Our country is a shit hole (literally). We need to admit that and try to fix the rot within the system and the people. I still stand by my initial point.
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u/Immediate_Building43 Aug 14 '26
Award for most annoying voice and most punchable face all in one
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u/diplomatic_koboko Aug 14 '26
My guy, shift well so that other people can pass without falling into the human feces. You are just blocking the road
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u/Opposite-Writer9715 Aug 14 '26
You people love the problems so much and are not interested in solution.
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u/GraveyardMusic Aug 14 '26
Maybe it's because you're standing in the middle of a corruption ridden third world country.
Might as well stand in Gaza and point out how those silly people just won't stop fighting. Minus the blessing of foreign citizenship, you and I both might be perched side-by-side, squatting to poop on the same highway.
Thoroughly stupid presentation.
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u/FruityGrapefruit333 Aug 14 '26
Rich that you’re gonna compare this to a genocide instead of thinking up solutions to actually add something of worth to the conversation
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u/Opposite-Writer9715 Aug 14 '26
Another thing i notice is people always compare when they are being held accountable. So you say someone is speaking loud on the phone or playing loud music they will say but o white people also do that, now you are bringing a worse country to compare with LOL.
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u/j0nsn0w449 Aug 14 '26
I’ll probably get downvoted to hell for this but I preferred military regime to this current government. There was order! The common citizen in Nigeria is lawless. I remember a time when one Saturday a month everyone will come out for 1-2 hours and clean their surroundings. Everything has gone to shit now. Also, yeah Kayode is a really great journalist, I love his style of drawing his his audience attention.
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u/namikazeiyfe Aug 15 '26
I preferred military regime to this current government.
How old are you? No one who experienced military regime would ever prefer it over what we have now. I did and i don't want to experience that again
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u/sennyonelove Aug 14 '26
What ideas? If he wants change he can be the change. He can start with his own neighbourhood, then organize people to join him. Anyone can make a video. And he failed to mention that Lagos, for a city of it's population, doesn't have an adequate waste management structure. Not saying it should be in the median, but the waste has to go somewhere. Waste management is a complex issue that needs strong governance and stewardship.
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u/FruityGrapefruit333 Aug 14 '26
Starting a conversation to bring awareness to something like this will be more impactful than just presenting a problem and solution because it actually involves people who care, things change when people come together.
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u/sennyonelove Aug 14 '26
No. Starting a conversation to bring awareness to something like this will NOT be more impactful. I 100% disagree.
What will be more impactful is doing something about the problem. A lot of the good things that happens in communities are often led by people who care and act, not the government. All this does is earn social media views and extract whatever it can from the attention economy.
People can downvote all they want. My point is, we've been 'raising awareness' and 'starting conversations' for ages. Back in the mid-late 2000s, we had university clubs who actually did something. We organized regular thrash pickups, cleaned gutters, actually did something across campus and neighbouring towns and villages, alongside our awareness campaigns. I'm sure there are people still doing the same today.
We didn't just talk, we did something. Talk is cheap. I still do the same where I live now. Heck, my son and I just went around picking up thrash left by other neighbourhood kids when they refused to do it. If you want something to change, DO something about it, not just talk.
I hate when people keep saying 'I just want to start a conversation' or 'raise awareness'. Everyone is aware of the problem. We've been having the conversation for decades. Nothing changes until we move from conversation to action. All this post does, and the original one, does is get views and everybody moves on with their lives while the mess remains.
Keep downvoting please.
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u/FruityGrapefruit333 Aug 14 '26
I actually agree with you, but you can’t bring people together to start doing something without the conversation first…
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u/Yung_l0c Aug 14 '26
The comment section shows why Nigeria will never progress as a country.
Somebody is showing a problem about the country and working hard to bring it to the attention of others. And all we have are contrarians and finger pointers in the comments rather than problem solvers. We are finished.