The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been urged to urgently address pressing environmental challenges to prevent the state from descending into what has been described as a “mega slum.”

Otunba Segun Showunmi, convener of The Alternative, made the appeal in a birthday statement titled “Happy Birthday, Gov Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu – Not Bad for 60,” released on Wednesday in honour of the governor’s 60th birthday.

Showunmi said the time had come for the governor to enforce compliance with the state’s urban master plan to ensure that his successor would not have to apologise for attempting to build a truly modern city.

“What must be pulled down should be pulled down. What must be provided for the greater good of the people must be provided,” he said.

He traced the vision of modernising Lagos to former Governor Bola Tinubu, noting that his successors, Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, had each built on that foundation.

“Asiwaju started the vision, Fashola deepened the framework, Ambode extended it to underserved communities. It is now on your shoulders to sanitise the built-up areas,” he said.

“Lagos must not become a mega slum. It is not a no man’s land—it is a land for all who wish to live and thrive in Africa’s largest economic city-state.”

Showunmi acknowledged Sanwo-Olu’s visible achievements as he begins the final stretch of his second term, urging him to take bold action.

“Let the work of Tokunbo Wahab be front and centre—make it top priority,” he added, referring to the Lagos Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources.