Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun
The Ogun State Government has commenced an independent health audit of residents of Ogijo in Sagamu Local Council following concerns over possible lead exposure in the community.
The move comes after reports of alleged lead poisoning surfaced in November 2025, prompting the sealing of identified lead-acid battery recycling plants in the area and the commencement of environmental audits.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ engagement held at the Ologijo’s Palace after the collection of blood samples from over 500 selected residents to determine their blood lead levels.
She said the government adopted a scientific approach and engaged the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research to conduct an independent study to ensure credible findings.
According to her, the institute commenced fieldwork last week and collected samples from residents, including individuals previously identified with elevated blood lead levels, pregnant women, lactating mothers and children.
Coker said both the Ministries of Health and Environment had earlier visited the community to outline a monitoring and response framework, while the Ministry of Environment carried out environmental assessments after shutting facilities considered to pose risks. She noted that some of the sealed facilities had since been reopened after compliance reviews.
She added that the Ministry of Health would introduce periodic blood lead level testing for workers in the affected industries.
Director-General of the institute, Prof Oladipo Obafunwa, said a professional team was deployed to conduct the exercise in line with established scientific standards. He assured residents that laboratory analysis would be handled with integrity and findings presented objectively.
Responding, the Ologijo of Ogijo, Oba Kazeem Gbadamosi, thanked the state government for the intervention and pledged the community’s cooperation.
Meanwhile, the state government has inaugurated a 15-member Joint Monitoring Committee to address environmental concerns in Ogijo and its environs.
Commissioner for Environment, Dr Ola Oresanya, said the committee would serve as a liaison between the government and the community and provide local oversight of used lead-acid battery recycling facilities.
He said the committee would monitor compliance, facilitate reporting of environmental and health concerns, and support remediation efforts. He warned operators that compliance with environmental and safety standards was mandatory and that any facility failing to meet requirements would not be allowed to operate.
General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency, Kehinde Bello, called for stakeholders’ support to restore environmental compliance in the community.
Also speaking, the South-West Director of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, Mr Jack Peniel, said the agency would ensure strict adherence to environmental standards in Ogijo.
