The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) says noise pollution topped environmental complaints in 2025, accounting for 3,300 of the 8,437 cases recorded across the state.
The General Manager of LASEPA, Dr Babatunde Ajayi, disclosed this during the agency’s Annual Performance Appraisal and Media Parley held in Ikeja.
Ajayi said the agency shut down 244 facilities—including hotels, churches, mosques and warehouses—between January and December 2025 for violating environmental regulations.
He explained that the actions followed sustained monitoring, compliance and enforcement exercises carried out across households, markets, service centres and places of worship statewide.
According to him, more than 200 hospitality facilities were monitored, while 180 abatement notices were issued for offenses related to raw sewage discharge, as well as land and water pollution.
Ajayi noted that enforcement activities in chemical and industrial facilities helped reduce fire outbreaks and chemical spillages, citing a joint operation at the Ojota Chemical Market conducted with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
He said LASEPA also installed two smokeless kiln machines at the Ago-Egun Ilaje fishing community to improve air quality, protect women’s health and boost productivity.
On air quality management, Ajayi said the agency deployed low-cost sensors in partnership with stakeholders and currently releases weekly data from 114 monitoring points, with plans to scale up to 200 monitors by the end of 2026.
He added that 60 additional air quality monitors were already available and awaiting installation across the state.
The general manager said many noise-related complaints were resolved without sealing affected premises, stressing that preventive measures help reduce health costs.
“For every one naira spent on environmental protection, about ₦40 is saved from sickness management,” he said.
Ajayi disclosed that religious leaders and nightclub operators had signed agreements under the Noiseless Lagos Advocacy initiative to curb excessive noise levels.
“Our goal is not punishment alone, but a cleaner, safer and healthier Lagos,” he said.
According to him, LASEPA combines enforcement with public education, noting that a compliance desk was established to assist operators in meeting regulatory requirements.
On public health, Ajayi said the agency partnered with the Ministry of Health on water quality testing to prevent cholera and other water-borne diseases.
He added that about 25 per cent of diseases reported in health facilities were environment-related, while LASEPA accredited 153 e-waste and battery recycles in 2025 to curb unsafe disposal practices.
The LASEPA boss said the agency would strengthen inter-agency collaboration in the new year to ensure the safety of all Lagos residents.
He expressed gratitude to the state governor for investing in the agency, describing LASEPA as having one of the best environmental laboratories in the country.
