The Oyo State Government has launched a new environmental whistleblowers programme aimed at tackling indiscriminate waste disposal and other environmental violations across the state but officials say the vision goes far beyond catching offenders.
At the unveiling held at the Local Government Staff Training School, Agodi Secretariat, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Ademola Aderinto, described the initiative as a collective effort to restore pride, order, and economic confidence in Oyo State.
“This is not just about reporting wrongdoers,” he said. “It is about repositioning our state, making it cleaner, more attractive to investors, creating jobs, and supporting business growth.”
Under the scheme, residents are encouraged to report environmental infractions in their communities and will receive rewards for verified reports. Aderinto assured citizens that the identities of whistleblowers would be fully protected.
“We are not just encouraging reporting; we are rewarding it. We want residents to serve as the Governor’s eyes in their communities. This is about sanity, not just sanitation,” he added, calling for shared responsibility in rebuilding the state’s environmental reputation.
Governor Seyi Makinde, represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, said the programme provides residents with multiple reporting channels, including WhatsApp lines, dedicated phone numbers, and mobile applications.
He acknowledged that despite government investments in waste trucks and structured disposal systems, illegal dumping, blocked drainage channels, and construction on waterways remain persistent challenges.
According to him, the whistleblower platform is designed for speed and efficiency. Reports will be transmitted instantly to relevant authorities to enable swift action, cutting through the usual delays associated with formal complaints.
Also speaking, the State Lead Consultant on Informal Sector, Mr. Olabode Ajetunmobi, explained that the framework is deliberately simple and citizen-focused. He said it will operate through a combination of dedicated enforcement officers and voluntary digital reporting by members of the public.
He expressed confidence in the state’s technological readiness to manage large volumes of reports and noted that the initiative aligns with the administration’s ambition to make Oyo the cleanest state in Nigeria. Drawing inspiration from Kigali, widely regarded as one of Africa’s cleanest cities, he said Oyo is determined to set a new environmental benchmark.
Ajetunmobi added that after ranking third in ease of doing business under a World Bank-supported project, the state is now setting its sights on leading in environmental cleanliness.
In his goodwill message, Chairman of the House Committee on Environment and Ecology, Hon. Cephas Olorunpoto, commended the programme and assured it would receive legislative support to ensure its sustainability.
The launch attracted several dignitaries, including the Chairman of the Oyo State Rule of Law Agency, Rt. Justice Aderonke Aderemi; the Chairman of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority, Major Adesagba Adekoya (rtd); the Chairman of the Oyo State Solid Waste Agency, Hon. Waheed Adeniyi; alongside market leaders, traditional rulers, and senior government officials.
With the programme now in motion, the government is placing responsibility and reward directly in the hands of residents, betting that community vigilance will help transform Oyo’s environmental future.
