“Lagos Government Warns Nollywood Actress Sarah Martins Over Street Cooking, Citing Public Safety and Environmental Laws”
The Lagos State Government has issued a formal warning to Nollywood actress Sarah Martins, urging her to stop cooking and distributing food on public roads across Lagos. Authorities say the practice violates the state’s environmental and public order regulations, which prohibit cooking or trading on public infrastructure such as roads, walkways, and road medians. Officials also cautioned that continued violations could lead to arrest and prosecution.
According to the state’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, while the government acknowledges the charitable intent behind the actress’s outreach to vulnerable residents, the activity raises significant safety, sanitation, and traffic concerns. Wahab stressed that public spaces are not authorized locations for cooking or food distribution, noting that such actions could pose environmental hazards and disrupt urban order.
The warning follows renewed attention on Martins after videos circulated online showing her cooking and sharing meals with people on the streets. The development also recalls a similar incident in October 2025 when officials of the Lagos environmental enforcement agency apprehended the actress while she conducted a comparable outreach in the Lekki area of the city. Authorities say she had previously been cautioned but resumed the activity despite earlier warnings.
Government officials have encouraged Martins and other philanthropists to channel charitable initiatives through approved venues and partnerships with relevant agencies to ensure compliance with state regulations. The administration maintains that humanitarian efforts are welcome but must operate within the legal framework designed to protect public safety, sanitation standards, and orderly use of urban infrastructure.