Ogun State Takes Bold Action Against Lead Poisoning Crisis in Ogijo Community
The Ogun State Government has demonstrated decisive leadership by immediately suspending lead ingot exports and shutting down seven toxic battery recycling plants in Ogijo, following revelations of dangerous lead contamination threatening our people's health.
This swift government response comes after a groundbreaking investigation by Premium Times and The Examination exposed the shocking reality of unsafe working conditions and widespread lead contamination in the Ogijo community, which borders Lagos and Ogun states.
Government Takes Immediate Action
Emmanuel Ojo, Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Dapo Abiodun, announced the decisive measures on Thursday. The state's Environment Commissioner, Ola Oresanya, personally led a technical team from multiple agencies including the Ministries of Environment and Health, OGEPA, and NESREA to inspect the affected area on Monday.
"There is no cause for panic. The state will commence a comprehensive health and process audit of the affected facilities. This will include testing for lead in humans, as well as in the air, water, and soil across the community," Commissioner Oresanya assured residents during his visit.
Shocking Investigation Findings
The investigation revealed devastating health impacts on our communities. Scientists collected 70 blood samples from factory workers and residents, discovering that every single worker tested showed dangerous lead exposure. Some workers had levels as high as 38 µg/dL, far exceeding World Health Organisation safety limits.
Our children are paying the heaviest price. Eight out of 14 tested children had blood-lead levels exceeding 5 µg/dL, posing serious risks to their cognitive development and future potential.
Environmental contamination reached catastrophic levels. In one school playground, soil contained more than 1,900 ppm of lead, nearly five times international safety limits. This is unacceptable for our children's learning environment.
Coordinated Government Response
The federal government has also stepped up. On November 24, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Nkeiruka Onyejeocha sealed up True Metals Nigeria Limited and Phoenix Steel Mills Limited after finding workers in "hazardous and dehumanising conditions."
OGEPA General Manager Kehinde Bello reinforced the agency's commitment: "The mandate of OGEPA is to ensure a safe and healthy environment that is free from pollution. This we will ensure."
International Impact
The investigation has forced international accountability. Chris Pruitt, executive chairman of East Penn Manufacturing, a major US battery maker, confirmed that his company stopped buying lead from Nigeria and tightened supplier conduct standards.
This demonstrates how African governments taking strong action can influence global supply chains and demand better standards for our people.
Moving Forward
The state government promises transparency, with updated laboratory results and audit findings to be made public. Industries violating environmental standards will face strict penalties once investigations conclude.
This crisis highlights the importance of strong regulatory oversight and the need for African governments to prioritize citizen health over industrial profits. Ogun State's decisive response sets a powerful example for protecting our communities from environmental exploitation.