The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has said noise pollution topped its environmental complaints in 2025, accounting for 3,300 of the 8,437 cases recorded across the state.
The General Manager (GM) of LASEPA, Babatunde Ajayi, disclosed this during the annual performance appraisal and media parley of the agency in Ikeja.
Ajayi said LASEPA closed 244 facilities, including hotels, churches, mosques and warehouses, for violating environmental laws between January and December 2025.
He said the action was taken after continuous monitoring, compliance and enforcement exercises in homes, markets, service centers and worship centers in the state.
According to him, more than 200 hospitality facilities were monitored while 180 exemption notices were issued for raw sewage discharge as well as land and water pollution.
Citing a joint operation with NESREA at Ozota Chemical Market, Ajayi said enforcement in chemical and industrial facilities has reduced fire outbreaks and chemical leakages.
He said LASEPA installed two smokeless furnace machines in the Ago-Egun Ilaje fishing community to improve air quality, protect women's health and boost productivity.
On air quality, Ajayi said LASEPA deployed low-cost sensors with partners and released weekly data from 114 monitors, targeting 200 monitors by the end of 2026.
He said 60 additional air monitors are already on the ground, awaiting installation across the state.
The general manager said many of the noise complaints were resolved without sealing the premises, stressing that prevention saves health costs.
“For every Naira spent on environmental protection, about ₦40 is saved from disease management,” he said.
He said religious leaders and nightclub operators signed agreements under the Noiseless Lagos Advocacy to curb excessive noise.
“Our goal is not just to punish, but to create a clean, safe and healthy Lagos,” he said.
According to him, LASEPA combined enforcement with education, adding that a compliance desk had been created to help operators meet regulatory requirements.
On public health, Ajayi said the agency has partnered with the Ministry of Health on water testing to prevent cholera and other water-borne diseases.
Meanwhile, he said about 25 per cent of diseases reported in health facilities were environment-related, adding that LASEPA accredited 153 e-waste and battery recyclers in 2025 to curb unsafe disposal.
The GM said the agency will foster interagency partnerships in the new year to ensure the safety of all Lagos residents.
He expressed his gratitude to the Governor for investing in the agency and said that the agency has one of the best laboratories.
