In a decisive move to protect public health, the Ogun State Government, in collaboration with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), has sealed seven battery recycling factories in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area, over unsafe practices and excessive lead emissions.
NESREA stated that the shutdown followed the operators’ failure to comply with the provisions of the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulations 2024. “Under the protocol, these facilities committed to managing used lead-acid battery (ULAB) slag and base metal residue safely and responsibly, prioritizing staff health and safety through annual blood lead testing and provision of personal protective equipment,” the agency said.
The agency further emphasized that recyclers are obligated to conduct annual environmental impact assessments in surrounding communities, adopt cleaner recycling technologies, and participate in pilot projects exploring the reuse of slag in bricks and cement production.
Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, explained that the intervention was necessary to safeguard residents from the harmful effects of lead exposure. “The government is committed to proactive measures to mitigate environmental and health risks,” he said, urging other factories in the area to adopt international best practices in their operations.
In a related development, the state has imposed a temporary ban on the export of lead ingots with immediate effect.
Oresanya, who led a team of experts from the Ministries of Environment and Health, the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), and NESREA to Ogijo, said the government would conduct comprehensive health and process audits of the affected industries. “We will test for lead contamination in humans, soil, air, and water bodies around the industrial town and make the results publicly available,” he assured.
The commissioner also vowed to scrutinize previously circulated test results to ensure transparency and accuracy, reinforcing the state’s commitment to environmental protection and public health.
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