LASEPAcalls for stakeholder collaboration amid rising noise complaints in Lagos

Funmi Ogundare

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) disclosed yesterday that roughly 65 percent of the complaints it receives from residents concern noise pollution, highlighting the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders and sustained public advocacy to address the problem.

Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, the agency’s General Manager, made the statement at the 11th Noiseless Lagos Summit, which carried the theme “Advancing Sound Control and Technology in an Emerging Smart City.”

He said LASEPA is prioritising dialogue and advocacy as part of its strategy to reduce reliance on enforcement actions throughout the state.

According to Ajayi, while regulation and enforcement remain essential tools, they alone cannot resolve the growing concerns about excessive noise in Lagos.

“As the Environmental Protection Agency, one of our core responsibilities is regulating noise pollution, and it accounts for about 65 percent of complaints we receive from the public. This shows why it is important for us to continuously engage stakeholders and advocate responsible practices,” Ajayi said.

The General Manager noted that the agency’s outreach targets a wide range of businesses and institutions—including religious centres, event venues, lounges, and other commercial operators—emphasising the need to balance commercial interests with the well‑being and quality of life of neighbouring residents.

He explained that the forum was designed to deepen understanding of existing regulatory limits and to encourage compliance through dialogue rather than sanctions.

Describing operators as critical partners in environmental sustainability, he said LASEPA is committed to working collaboratively with all sectors to ensure a healthier and more livable Lagos.

Ajayi also stressed the importance of involving young people in environmental advocacy, noting that students were deliberately invited to the event as part of efforts to build a lasting culture of environmental responsibility.

“If we want to achieve lasting behavioural change, we must start with the children. They will take the message home to their parents and grow into environmentally conscious adults,” he added.

The engagement brought together representatives from religious organisations, the tourism and hospitality sector, business operators, and students, all aimed at promoting compliance and fostering a cleaner, quieter environment in Lagos.

In her presentation, a staff member of the Office of Physical Planning, Mujidah Olaide, noted that the government remains committed to protecting the environment and safeguarding residents’ health, while urging Lagosians to refrain from contributing to noise pollution.

She stressed that environmental protection is a shared responsibility and added that sustained advocacy and public sensitisation are already yielding positive results in reducing noise pollution across the state.

“It is a collective responsibility; everyone has a role to play. We are happy that through continuous advocacy, noise pollution is gradually reducing in Lagos,” she said.

Also speaking, Olaide Ismael of the Office of Physical Planning emphasised the need for residents to comply with environmental laws and standards, noting that public education and awareness are essential to the success of such initiatives.

He underscored the importance of data gathering in regulatory activities, saying it plays a critical role in planning and informed decision‑making.

“There is a need for proper data gathering in our regulations because it supports effective planning and decision‑making. We all have to begin to plan responsibly,” he said.

Ismael expressed concern over the economic impact of noise pollution in Nigeria, revealing that about £990 billion is lost annually due to its effects, and noting that excessive noise also hampers concentration and productivity.

The event concluded with the presentation of prizes and trophies to the winners of the 2026 International Noise Awareness Day (INAD) inter‑district essay competition titled “Technology and Noise: Who Bears the Responsibility and Consequences?”