Osun Introduces Thursday Sanitation Exercise, Directs Business Owners to Clean Premises
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
The Osun State Government has introduced a weekly environmental sanitation exercise to be observed every Thursday between 8am and 10am, directing market operators, shop owners, artisans and other business owners to clean their premises.
The directive, which takes immediate effect, is part of efforts to tackle indiscriminate dumping of refuse, enforce environmental regulations and prevent disease outbreaks across the state.
The government announced the decision in a press release dated October 14, 2026, issued by the Environmental Sanitation Task Force under the Office of the Head of Service.
According to the statement, the task force was established to address environmental sanitation challenges, particularly the dumping of refuse in unauthorised places, and promote a cleaner environment across the state.
It stated that markets, shops, malls, offices and other business premises must be cleaned during the designated hours every Thursday.
The statement added that market operators, shop owners, artisans and other business owners were expected to be physically present during the exercise to ensure proper cleaning of their premises and compliance with the directive.
Clarifying the role of law enforcement agents during the exercise, the task force said their presence was intended to support the cleaning exercise rather than arrest members of the public.
“The presence of law enforcement agents during the sanitation exercise is to complement the efforts of the market operators, shop owners, etc., for cleaning of the environment, and not to arrest anyone,” the statement read.
The government urged residents and business operators to cooperate with the task force and comply with the directive as part of efforts to maintain a clean environment and protect public health across Osun State.