The Lagos State government has taken drastic measures to combat noise pollution across the state.
Over 350 facilities, including churches, mosques, and other public spaces, have been shut down in the past year.
This bold action was disclosed by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) during a media briefing in Ikeja.
The General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, announced that 352 facilities were sealed for violating environmental regulations.
Ajayi said that the state’s war against noise pollution is ongoing, and more offenders will face penalties.
This move highlights the growing concern over the impact of noise pollution on public health and the environment.
Dr. Ajayi explained that noise pollution is a serious issue in Lagos, and the government is determined to enforce strict measures.
He said: “Residents are not behaving well when it comes to complying with regulations. Noise pollution is a major challenge.”
According to him, despite enforcement actions, many offenders return to their bad behavior once penalties are paid.
He added: “They comply for a while after enforcement, but soon, they go back to their old ways. Then, the whole process starts again.”
Religious houses, particularly churches and mosques, have been identified as major offenders when it comes to noise pollution.
Ajayi revealed that the religious sector accounts for a large portion of noise pollution cases in Lagos.
He stated: “For noise pollution, the religious sector takes the highest. There is little or no control over how religious houses are set up.”
Some streets in Lagos now have multiple churches or mosques, each equipped with loudspeakers.
These loud noises disrupt the peace in residential areas, especially during early morning and late-night services.
The problem is worsened by preachers who use microphones and loudspeakers to deliver their messages in public places, including bus stops.
“Even Christian worshippers come out with loudspeakers and microphones to preach in public. It’s a growing concern,” Ajayi said.
LASEPA has held several meetings with representatives of religious houses to address these concerns.
Ajayi added: “We regularly engage with religious leaders to explain why noise pollution is a serious problem.”
Noise pollution is not just a nuisance—it has serious health implications.
Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to loud noises can lead to stress, sleep disturbances, and even hearing loss.
In Lagos, the constant blaring of loudspeakers from religious houses, street preachers, and public announcements has raised alarm bells.
LASEPA’s General Manager emphasized that noise pollution is a global problem, not just a Nigerian one.
“There’s no city in the world that doesn’t use fines and penalties for noise violations. People tend to go back to bad behavior,” Ajayi said.
He also stressed the importance of keeping noise levels below 60 decibels, the standard limit for public spaces.
“When religious houses fail to comply, they put both the public and themselves at risk,” he warned.
To tackle the issue, the Lagos State government has been sealing off facilities that violate noise regulations.
LASEPA has imposed fines on offenders, but the problem persists.
Many religious houses and public facilities comply temporarily, only to return to their disruptive practices.
Dr. Ajayi noted that the enforcement efforts must be continuous.
“It takes strong-willed policies to control this. Enforcement has to be sustained,” he stated.
The agency has also called for stricter laws and regulations governing the establishment of religious houses.
The lack of clear rules has made it difficult to regulate where and how religious institutions can operate.
“There must be a framework that controls how religious houses are set up in densely populated areas,” Ajayi added.
