The Lagos State Government has ordered the immediate reopening of the Oko-Oba Abattoir in Agege following the operators’ substantial compliance with sanitation and hygiene standards previously violated.
The announcement was made on Saturday by the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, through his official X (formerly Twitter) account. He accompanied the post with a video clip showing traders actively engaging in environmental cleaning exercises, including the clearing of debris and refuse within the abattoir premises.
According to Wahab, the operators have met the minimum benchmark required for abattoir operations in the state—standards that were earlier disregarded, prompting the government’s decision to shut down the facility.
“The Lagos State Government has directed the immediate re-opening of the Abattoir at Oko-Oba following the fulfillment of sanitation and hygienic prescriptions by the operators,” Wahab stated. “They have substantially complied with the minimum benchmark for abattoir operations in the state, which was flagrantly flouted initially, necessitating the closure.”
As part of the conditions for reopening, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources will now conduct monthly inspections to ensure ongoing compliance and deter a relapse into unsanitary practices. Wahab also urged operators to strictly avoid poor waste management and unhygienic handling of animal products.
The Oko-Oba Abattoir was shut down on June 19, 2025, following an inspection by the Ministry, which uncovered widespread hygiene and environmental violations. These included individuals sleeping in livestock areas and the indiscriminate discharge of slaughter waste into public drainage systems—practices deemed hazardous to public health.
The abattoir, located in Agege, is one of the largest meat processing hubs in Lagos, serving hundreds of butchers, meat traders, and consumers daily. In the wake of its closure, the state government also began demolition exercises targeting illegal structures and encroachments around the facility. These included makeshift buildings erected along drainage setbacks, which were obstructing stormwater flow and compounding sanitary issues.
The reopening comes amid a broader sanitation enforcement campaign launched by the Lagos State Government, targeting markets, abattoirs, and other public facilities across the city. Officials have emphasized that the goal is not punitive, but to foster long-term environmental responsibility, safeguard public health, and ensure cleaner public spaces for all residents.