The Senate on Thursday expressed serious concern regarding a rapidly worsening lead-poisoning crisis in Ogijo, a highly populated area bordering Ikorodu in Lagos and the Ogun East Senatorial District. Lawmakers called the situation a severe environmental and public-health emergency that poses a threat to thousands of residents.
This alarm was raised following a motion of urgent national importance co-sponsored by Senators Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos East) and Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), introduced under Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (as amended).
Senators cited credible scientific investigations that link the extreme lead contamination in the region to a group of used lead-acid battery recycling factories that have operated for years with minimal supervision.
The motion highlighted that residents are suffering from severe health issues, including persistent headaches, stomach pain, memory loss, seizures, cognitive problems, and delayed development in children, which are classic signs of long-term lead exposure.
The Senate noted that the Federal Government had already initiated action, including the shutdown of seven battery-recycling factories by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and a temporary suspension of lead-ingot exports pending further safety checks.
The Senate observed, “It is deeply troubling that despite years of community complaints, smelting operations continued unabated,” releasing toxic fumes and dust into surrounding areas. Lawmakers expressed concern that community exposure remains dangerously high.
They also mentioned recent independent testing commissioned by The Examination and The New York Times, which showed alarmingly high lead levels in both residents’ blood samples and the soil in the industrial area. They noted that some environmental readings were “up to 186 times above the global maximum safety limit.”
A worrisome aspect of the crisis, the senators added, is that the lead processed in Ogijo has entered global supply chains, reaching international battery and automobile manufacturers who either did not take action or relied solely on assurances from local suppliers.
While acknowledging that some operators deny any wrongdoing, the Senate regretted ongoing failures in Nigeria’s regulatory enforcement that have allowed hazardous practices to continue.
The Senate, however, commended the early interventions by the Lagos and Ogun State Governments, recognizing their initial inspections, public-awareness campaigns, and collaboration with federal agencies to contain the developing disaster.
Citing Sections 14(2)(b) and 20 of the 1999 Constitution, lawmakers underscored the government’s obligation at all levels to protect citizens’ well-being and ensure a safe living environment.
Following extensive debate, the Senate resolved to commend the Federal Government and the Lagos and Ogun State Governments for quickly closing down non-compliant facilities.
It called for sustained enforcement, which includes further factory closures, export suspensions, prosecution of violators, and stronger national monitoring of industrial safety.
The Senate mandated the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to deploy emergency medical teams to Ogijo to provide free toxicology tests, blood-lead screening, chelation therapy, and long-term treatment for affected children and adults.
The Federal Ministry of Environment and NESREA were directed to conduct a comprehensive environmental cleanup, including mapping soil, air, groundwater, and household dust.
Lawmakers also urged the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals and other regulatory authorities to strictly enforce operational standards for all battery-recycling and lead-processing facilities across the country.
The Senate recommended the creation of a National Lead Poisoning Response and Remediation Task Force under NEMA, while instructing the Committee on Legislative Compliance to monitor implementation and submit a report within six weeks.
The chamber characterized the Ogijo contamination as a preventable disaster and a serious national warning about industrial pollution, regulatory failures, and the urgent need to protect vulnerable communities from hazardous waste.
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