The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Government of Japan, has concluded a year-long capacity building and training programme on basic hygiene and sanitation practices for the informal food and water vendors and waste workers in eight flood-prone Local Government Areas of the State
The Project executed under UNIDO Project 240237 titled: “Emergency Capacity Building of Informal Food and Water Vendors and Waste Workers in Flood-Affected Lagos to Combat Cholera Outbreaks” was part of efforts by the Lagos State Government to build the capacity of the people in the flood-prone areas in basic hygiene and sanitation practices to prevent future cholera outbreaks in the State.
The event was held recently at the Radisson Blu Hotel Ikeja, Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos. The 12-month intervention programme was designed as a strategic response to the cholera outbreak recorded in Lagos State in June 2024, during which 579 suspected cases were reported with 29 fatalities. The outbreaks highlighted sanitation gaps and unsafe waste management practices in flood-prone communities, necessitating urgent preventive action.
Delivering the keynote address, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, described the initiative as a proactive and impactful collaboration aimed at breaking the chain of cholera transmission through grassroots engagement.
He noted that the Government of Japan, through UNIDO, provided a $225,000 grant to support structured environmental health programmes across eight flood-prone Local Government Areas: Ikorodu, Alimosho, Lagos Island, Ojo, Kosofe, Lagos Mainland, Badagry and Ikeja.
According to the Commissioner, 1,054 residents benefited from sensitisation campaigns conducted during the first phase of the project, including 623 women and 431 men.
The second phase focused on practical training, equipping 452 informal food and water vendors and waste workers with knowledge and tools on hygiene standards, safe food and water handling, and improved waste disposal practices.
He disclosed that since the commencement of the capacity-building campaign in April 2025, Lagos State has not recorded any new cholera outbreak, describing the outcome as a strong indication that preventive strategies and community ownership are yielding measurable results.
The Commissioner further highlighted complementary government initiatives aimed at strengthening environmental resilience, including drainage maintenance and de-silting efforts across the State, the award of 210 drainage infrastructure projects and de-flooding interventions in 18 public schools to provide safer learning environments.
He also referenced a Memorandum of Understanding MOU signed with Zoomlion to establish Material Recovery Facilities in Epe and Badagry for the conversion and treatment of solid and liquid waste, reinforcing Lagos State’s commitment to sustainable waste management.
In his welcome remarks, the General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, emphasised the Agency’s direct engagement with informal food vendors and waste workers in affected communities.
He stated that field assessments conducted during the project revealed persistent sanitation gaps in rural, riverine, and flood-prone areas. Through structured training advocacy campaigns and field monitoring, LASEPA enhanced awareness of hygiene practices and strengthened environmental compliance at the grassroots level.
Dr. Ajayi affirmed that the lessons and frameworks developed under the project will be integrated into LASEPA’s ongoing enforcement and advocacy programmes to ensure sustained public health protection.
The Director and UNIDO Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Philbert Johnson, described the initiative as a demonstration of the strong link between public health protection and sustainable industrial development.
He noted that the project moved effectively from planning to implementation, delivering training-of-trainers sessions, field-based outreach, and provision of essential response tools such as rapid test kits and water purification materials.
The Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Ambassador Hideo Suzuki, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against cholera and other infectious diseases.
He disclosed that, in addition to this UNIDO-led initiative, Japan is funding two other cholera-related interventions through WHO and UNOPS, bringing its total contribution to approximately $1.725 million.
Ambassador Suzuki emphasised that cholera is preventable and that sustained investments in hygiene awareness, sanitation infrastructure and community engagement remain critical to achieving zero mortality.
He noted that the Project Outcomes and Key achievements of the project include:
Training of over 450 informal food and water vendors and waste workers, sensitisation of 1,054 residents across eight Local Government Areas and delivery of emergency-consumables including rapid diagnostic kits and water purification materials, strengthened emergency preparedness and response coordination
The UNIDO Project Manager, Ms. Nahomi Nishio confirmed that the project exceeded several of its original targets, particularly in community outreach and female participation, attributing the success to strong collaboration between UNIDO, LASEPA and the Lagos State Government.
The event was attended by top government officials from both the Federal and Lagos State Governments’ Agencies including Lagos State Office of Sustainable Development Goals, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Lagos State Waste Water Management Office, Federal Ministry of Health, National Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), public servants, representatives from informal food and water vendors and waste workers, among others.