The Oyo State Government has launched a new environmental whistleblower initiative, “Soro Soke Sita” (Oyo-SSS), aimed at curbing indiscriminate waste disposal and other environmental violations across the state.
The programme, unveiled on February 23, 2026, at the Local Government Staff Training School, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan, is designed to empower residents to report environmental offenders and receive incentives for verified reports.
Governor Seyi Makinde, represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, described the initiative as a bold step toward strengthening environmental governance and public participation.
According to him, while the government has invested significantly in environmental management — including the procurement of waste collection trucks and the development of structured waste disposal systems — some residents continue to engage in practices such as indiscriminate refuse dumping, blocking of drainage channels, and illegal construction on waterways.
“To address these challenges, we have introduced a whistleblower programme that allows citizens to report environmental hazards through multiple platforms, including WhatsApp, telephone lines, and dedicated mobile applications,” he said. “Reports will be transmitted instantly to the appropriate authorities for swift action, eliminating the delays traditionally associated with manual complaints.”
Also speaking, the State Lead Consultant on Informal Sector, Mr. Olabode Ajetunmobi, explained that the framework is simple and citizen-driven. “You see something, you say something,” he said, noting that the initiative operates through two major channels: dedicated enforcement officers who monitor compliance and voluntary public reporting through digital platforms.
He expressed confidence in the state’s technological capacity to manage large volumes of reports simultaneously, adding that the initiative aligns with the broader goal of positioning Oyo as the cleanest state in Nigeria. He noted that the state’s recent ranking as third in ease of doing business under a World Bank-supported project demonstrates its readiness to achieve greater milestones in environmental sustainability.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman, House Committee on Environment and Ecology, Hon. Cephas Olorunpoto, commended the executive arm for the initiative and assured legislative support to ensure its success. He encouraged residents to actively engage with the reporting platforms in the interest of a cleaner and healthier environment.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Ademola Aderinto, emphasized that the programme goes beyond mere reporting.
“We are not just encouraging reporting; we are rewarding it,” Aderinto stated. “We want residents to be the eyes of the Governor in their communities. This is about sanity, not just sanitation.”
He assured participants that all reports would be treated with strict confidentiality to protect whistleblowers’ identities and encourage widespread participation.
Aderinto stressed that environmental cleanliness remains critical to attracting investments, generating employment, and enhancing the state’s business climate. He described the initiative as a win-win for government and citizens, calling for collective action to restore Oyo’s reputation as the Pacesetter State.
Key stakeholders present at the launch included representatives of enforcement agencies, traditional institutions, market leaders, and heads of relevant government agencies, underscoring broad-based support for the whistleblower programme.
