By Lukman Olabiyi
The Lagos State Government has indefinitely shut down the Oko Oba Abattoir in Agege due to persistent unhygienic practices and serious breaches of environmental regulations.
The closure was announced on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, following an inspection tour of the facility.
Wahab said the government could no longer overlook the poor sanitary conditions and disregard for public health protocols at the abattoir.
“We have announced the indefinite closure of the Oko Oba Abattoir, Agege, over unhygienic practices and the violation of various environmental laws,” Wahab stated in a post on X, using the hashtag #ZeroToleranceLagos.
He was accompanied on the inspection by officials from the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).
Wahab noted that the move is part of a wider state effort to enforce hygiene standards in food processing and handling facilities across Lagos.
He emphasised that public health remains a priority and that the government would intensify oversight of similar operations statewide.
Residents and traders in the area had previously voiced concerns about the environmental hazards posed by the abattoir, including foul odours, improper waste disposal, and the release of untreated waste into surrounding drainage systems.
“No individual or business will be allowed to endanger the lives of others through negligence or reckless disregard for the law,” Wahab said, adding that authorities are determined to restore order and safety in public health spaces.
The government has not announced when or under what conditions the facility might be allowed to reopen.