In a determined effort to curb the menace of noise pollution, the Ogun State Government has taken action against 175 offenders across the state, including religious institutions, entertainment venues, and commercial facilities.
This development was revealed by the state’s Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, during a press briefing held to commemorate the 2025 International Noise Awareness Day. The global event, marked annually, aims to raise awareness of the dangers of excessive noise exposure.
This year’s celebration, themed “Protect Your Hearing, Protect Your Health”, draws attention to the negative health and environmental impacts of uncontrolled noise. Dr. Oresanya emphasized the need for responsible noise management, particularly in densely populated areas.
“Noise pollution goes beyond just environmental degradation; it directly affects the health and peace of our communities,” Oresanya said. “We must strike a balance between communication and communal tranquility.”
Providing a breakdown of acceptable noise levels, the commissioner stated that residential zones should not exceed 50 decibels during the day and 35 decibels at night. For religious and commercial settings, including entertainment hubs, the standard is set at 60 decibels during the day and 40 decibels at night.
According to Oresanya, the state had enforced sanctions on 175 violators in the past year, with 45 of them facing temporary shutdowns for failing to comply with noise regulations.
“Operators of religious centres, clubs, and commercial spaces must strictly adhere to these guidelines or face stiffer penalties. These rules exist to safeguard public health,” he warned.
The commissioner further called on Community Development Associations across Ogun State to adopt localized noise control policies. “We encourage CDAs to take ownership by drafting and enforcing internal noise management rules that reflect their unique environments,” he said.
Oresanya concluded by affirming the government’s commitment to public education and collaborative enforcement. “We will continue to engage stakeholders and sensitize the public on the need for voluntary compliance,” he added.
The Ogun State government’s campaign aligns with global efforts to minimize noise-related health issues, which experts say include hearing loss, sleep disruption, and increased stress levels.
