The Lagos State Government has shut down the Ladipo Spare Parts Market along the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road, Apapa–Oshodi Expressway, over repeated environmental violations, including indiscriminate waste disposal and illegal street trading.
The closure was confirmed on Sunday by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, via a post on X. He said the enforcement action followed persistent non-compliance with environmental and sanitation regulations by traders operating in and around the market.
According to Wahab, operatives of the Lagos environmental task force sealed the popular Mushin-based spare parts hub after observing continued dumping of refuse on road medians and highways, as well as widespread street trading that obstructed traffic and posed risks to public health and safety.
He stated that the state government maintains a zero-tolerance stance on activities that degrade the environment, stressing that markets must operate within approved guidelines to protect residents and road users.
Ladipo Market, one of the largest automobile spare parts markets in Lagos, has faced similar sanctions in the past. In 2023, the market was temporarily shut and later reopened after traders reportedly complied with waste management and sanitation requirements set by the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.
Officials, however, said recent inspections showed a relapse, prompting renewed enforcement.
The latest closure forms part of the Lagos State Government’s broader campaign to curb environmental abuse, illegal trading, and poor waste disposal across the metropolis. The administration has repeatedly warned market associations, traders, and transport operators that defaulters will face sanctions, regardless of location or economic importance.
Environmental officials noted that indiscriminate refuse dumping along major highways contributes to flooding, road deterioration, and the spread of diseases, especially during the rainy season. They added that illegal street trading around markets also creates traffic congestion and increases the risk of accidents.
A source within the ministry said the Ladipo Market would remain sealed until traders fully comply with all environmental and sanitation standards, including proper waste collection, the use of approved disposal channels, and the removal of roadside trading structures.
Reacting to the development, some traders expressed concern over the economic impact of the closure but acknowledged the need for better environmental practices. Others appealed to the state government to work with market leaders to ensure a swift resolution once conditions are met.
The Lagos State Government has reiterated that environmental cleanliness, public health, and safety remain key pillars of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus agenda. Authorities insist that enforcement actions are not punitive but aimed at creating a safer, cleaner, and more orderly city.
Residents and commuters along the Apapa–Oshodi corridor have welcomed the move, saying the activities around Ladipo Market had worsened traffic congestion and environmental degradation in the area.
The government has urged all markets across Lagos to take the enforcement as a warning and ensure strict adherence to environmental laws to avoid similar closures.
