The Lagos State Government has sealed the popular Ladipo Spare Parts Market, located along the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road on the Apapa–Oshodi Expressway, citing repeated environmental infractions.
The closure was announced on Sunday by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a statement shared on X. According to the commissioner, the action followed persistent violations, including indiscriminate disposal of refuse on road medians and highways, as well as illegal street trading that obstructs traffic and compromises public safety.
Wahab said the government’s decision was taken after repeated warnings and enforcement efforts failed to produce lasting compliance. He described the situation around the market as environmentally unsustainable, noting that improper waste management and roadside trading had continued despite earlier interventions.
This is not the first time the Ladipo Spare Parts Market has been sanctioned by the Lagos State Government. In September 2023, authorities shut down the market over similar issues, including reckless waste disposal, unhygienic conditions within the premises, and failure to pay statutory waste management bills. Following that closure, the market was reopened in October 2023 after officials confirmed that operators had met the required conditions for compliance.
The latest sealing underscores the state government’s renewed push to enforce environmental regulations and maintain cleanliness across major commercial hubs and transport corridors. Lagos authorities have repeatedly stressed that markets and business operators must adhere strictly to environmental laws to protect public health and ensure orderly urban living.
For traders and commuters alike, the development serves as another reminder that environmental compliance remains a top priority for the state, especially in high-traffic areas such as the Apapa–Oshodi Expressway.
