Lagos wakes up every morning to clean streets, thanks to the tireless work of LAWMA sweepers. They brave the scorching sun, the pouring rain, and the dangers of speeding cars just to keep the city presentable. But behind their orange uniforms lies a heartbreaking reality that has now spilled onto social media in a viral video that has left many in shock.
A cleaner, fed up with years of neglect, boldly called out LAWMA’s top executives, including the CEO, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, and the head of public affairs, Mrs. Folashade Kadiri. Her accusation? That they have allegedly been siphoning funds instead of ensuring that workers receive their rightful wages.
For years, Lagosians have seen these sweepers on the roads, silently pushing their brooms from dawn till dusk, dodging reckless drivers, inhaling dust and fumes, yet barely making enough to survive. But now, their silence is breaking. And what they have to say is as unsettling as it is heart breaking.
The Pay That Never Comes
According to the sweeper in the viral video, LAWMA workers were promised a new minimum wage of ₦85,000, which was meant to take effect in August 2024, However, instead of receiving what was promised, they have allegedly been tossed around with empty assurances. Month after month, their supervisors keep telling them to “calm down” and that the new salary will start soon.
But in reality, there has been little improvement. For the longest time, these workers were reportedly earning ₦30,000, an amount that is barely enough to survive in a city like Lagos, where food prices have doubled and transportation costs keep rising.
Then, in February, something unexpected happened: their salaries increased, but only to ₦40,000 far below the promised amount.
What changed? Why was the new minimum wage of ₦85,000 never implemented? Where is the money meant for these workers?
Buy Your Own Broom, Feed Yourself, and Pray for Your Salary
Perhaps one of the most shocking revelations in the viral video is the claim that LAWMA sweepers are forced to buy their own cleaning tools. Imagine earning a meager ₦30,000 or ₦40,000, only to use part of that to buy brooms, shovels, and dustpans needed for work. How does that make sense?
These workers are already struggling to afford food, rent, and transport, yet they must also fund their own work equipment. It’s a cruel reality that many Lagosians were unaware of until now.
And the suffering does not end there. The cleaner also complained about the delayed payment of salaries. While most people receive their wages at the beginning of the month, LAWMA sweepers reportedly wait until the 13th or even the 15th of the following month to get paid. By then, bills have piled up, landlords have issued threats, and hunger has become unbearable.
What Happened to the Presidential Wage Award?
In the midst of Nigeria’s rising cost of living, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a wage award of ₦25,000 to be paid to low-income earners as a form of relief. For LAWMA sweepers, this was supposed to be a much-needed financial cushion. But according to the viral video, things didn’t go as expected.
Many of these workers claim they never received the full ₦25,000. Instead, they were reportedly given only ₦10,000 less than half of what was promised. Others claim they got nothing at all. Where did the rest of the money go? Was it hijacked before it got to the hands of those who needed it most?
“We Are Contract Staff”—The Excuse That Justifies Neglect
One of the biggest defenses that LAWMA executives allegedly use to justify these poor working conditions is that these cleaners are not regular staff but contract workers. But does that mean they should not be treated with dignity?
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Does it mean they should not receive the legally approved minimum wage?
These sweepers risk their lives every day. They wake up before Lagos comes alive, work in dangerous conditions, and ensure that the city remains clean. Whether they are contract staff or not, their work is valuable, and they deserve better.
Desperation on the Streets
On my way to work, I decided to speak with some LAWMA sweepers about the claims made in the viral video. Their responses confirmed the allegations, though many were too afraid to speak openly.
One thing was clear they are suffering. I have personally seen these workers flagging down cars, desperately hoping for a free ride home. Some even approach pedestrians, politely asking for money just to buy water. It is heart breaking to witness.
These are not lazy people. These are hardworking individuals who are simply trying to survive. Yet, they are being ignored, underpaid, and exploited.
A City Kept Clean by the Poor
There is something deeply ironic about this situation. Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, prides itself on its cleanliness. It boasts of being one of the most organized cities in the country. Yet, the very people responsible for maintaining that cleanliness are being treated as if they do not matter.
We walk on clean streets, drive past roads free of debris, and praise LAWMA’s efforts. But do we ever stop to think about the hands behind this work? About the men and women who wake up before dawn, sweep the highways, and keep our environment livable?
The Bigger Picture: Where Do We Go from Here?
This is more than just an issue of unpaid wages. It is about dignity. It is about respect. It is about ensuring that those who do the hardest jobs are not abandoned.
If these allegations are true, then LAWMA executives have a lot of questions to answer. Lagosians must demand transparency. Where is the money meant for these workers? Why are their wages delayed? Why are they forced to buy their own cleaning tools?
And most importantly will anything change? Or will this just be another case of the poor crying out while the powerful look the other way?
Lagos may be clean, but the truth is dirty. And until justice is served, the streets will remain washed in the silent tears of those who sweep them.