The Lagos State Government has reiterated its decision to keep the Oko-Oba Abattoir in Agege shut until the operators comply with the state’s environmental laws and operational standards.
Speaking during a live television programme on Sunday, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, emphasized that the facility would remain closed until abattoir operators show readiness to adhere to sanitary regulations and modern abattoir practices.
The closure, which was enforced last Thursday, followed complaints of poor hygiene, improper waste disposal, and the unsanitary handling of animal products. Wahab disclosed that operators had repeatedly flouted environmental guidelines, resulting in the degradation of surrounding assets and prompting petitions from affected residents.
According to him, “The abattoir will remain sealed until the operators are ready to do the right thing. The government cannot continue to tolerate reckless disregard for public health and the environment.”
Wahab revealed that in the past, the government sponsored a trip abroad for the operators to observe mechanized slaughter practices, but many of them remain resistant to change. “We have mechanised and semi-mechanised infrastructure in place at the abattoir, but usage remains at only 10%. Instead, they stick to outdated and unsanitary practices,” he lamented.
The Commissioner said the recent shutdown followed a petition by the Commissioner for Agriculture to address ongoing environmental violations. He also criticized operators for converting animal pens into living spaces and attempting to bypass the closure by slaughtering animals at an abandoned gas station and even by the roadside.
“We’ve deployed enforcement personnel to prevent these illegal activities. This is not a Hobbesian state where life is nasty, brutish, and short. There are laws and standards, and everyone must comply,” Wahab stressed.
He pointed out that the abattoir’s activities are under the oversight of the Ministry of Agriculture, with regulatory input from LASEPA, LAWMA, and LASWAMO. The state has also engaged with the site’s concessionaire, Harmony, and the head of the operators, Galadima, to stop the discharge of untreated animal waste into public drains.
In a broader discussion on environmental issues, Wahab said Lagos, being a coastal city, is vulnerable to climate change effects such as sea level rise, heavy rainfall, and excessive heat. He noted that flash floods occur in low-lying, reclaimed areas, urging residents to remain patient and allow time for floodwaters to recede.
To mitigate these impacts, Wahab said the government had removed over 1,141 illegal structures obstructing drainage systems and cleaned up more than 666,000 metres of primary drainage channels and 397 secondary collectors in the past two years. He warned against further encroachment on wetlands in areas like Iketu, Agbowa, and Magodo, stating that the state would continue to resist such developments.
The Commissioner also encouraged residents to support climate resilience efforts by planting trees and creating green spaces. He cited the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), which has planted over 20,000 trees in 2025 alone.
“Infrastructure development is a process, not an overnight fix,” Wahab concluded. “But while we work, residents must also take ownership of the environment. Let us play our part, just as the government continues to uphold its responsibility to protect Lagos from environmental collapse.”