Street sweepers employed by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) have raised alarm over what they describe as daily abuse, harassment and inhumane treatment from Lagos residents, saying their job has become increasingly dangerous and degrading.
The sweepers shared their experiences during an episode of The Morayo Show, where emotional testimonies revealed the harsh realities behind keeping Lagos streets clean — realities they say are marked by insults, threats and deliberate sabotage of their work.
One of the sweepers, Kafilat, lamented that motorists who park illegally often turn on them instead of taking responsibility for their actions.
“They park anywhere they like and tell us to go and sweep somewhere else,” she said. “As if we are not human beings doing our job.”
Another worker, Olatitoye Adeola, accused some residents of intentionally dumping refuse on cleared roads after LAWMA trucks have completed waste evacuation.
“When we caution them, they threaten us,” she said. “They ask, ‘Is it your father’s land?’ They are ready to fight us.”
Taiwo Ologunro also described a frustrating cycle in which traders and householders repeatedly litter already-cleaned areas, forcing sweepers to redo the same work multiple times.
According to the workers, the persistent disrespect and stigma attached to their jobs have taken a toll on their morale, despite the essential role they play in maintaining environmental hygiene across the state.
They called on the Lagos State Government and the general public to show greater respect for sanitation workers and to support efforts to keep the city clean. If you want, I can also make it shorter, more emotional, or more investigative-style for online news platforms or blogs.