Lagos State runs through a long list of agencies known by their acronyms. You will meet several in your first months. This is who does what.
The ones you will meet
| Agency | Responsible for |
|---|---|
| LAWMA | Waste collection and the PSP operators who collect from homes |
| LASTMA | Traffic management: the officers in yellow and maroon on the roads |
| LASEPA | The environment, including noise from churches, mosques, clubs and generators |
| LASBCA | Building control: approvals, inspections, unsafe and illegal buildings |
| LIRS | State taxes, including your personal income tax |
| LAMATA | Public transport planning: BRT, rail and the Cowry card |
| LASWA | Waterways and ferries |
| LASRRA | The register of Lagos residents |
| LASEMA | Emergency management: collapses, fires, floods |
| Lagos State Health Management Agency | Ilera Eko, the state health scheme |
Who to call about what
- Rubbish not collected: your PSP operator first, then LAWMA. Waste and recycling
- A neighbour’s noise, day and night: LASEPA takes noise complaints.
- A building going up without approval, or one that looks unsafe: LASBCA. Building collapses kill people in Lagos; report cracks and unapproved floors being added.
- A pothole, a blocked drain or a broken streetlight: your local government first, or the state’s public works agency for major roads.
- An emergency: the emergency numbers, not an agency. Emergency numbers
Most agencies take complaints through their websites, social media accounts and phone lines. Put a complaint in writing, with photographs and the exact location, and keep the reference.
Federal versus state
Not everything in Lagos belongs to Lagos State. The airports, the ports, federal roads, the police and immigration are federal. Local government handles markets and local roads. If one office says it is not theirs, ask whose it is.