The Lagos State Government has vowed to seal additional religious centers and entertainment businesses violating noise pollution regulations. This commitment follows the recent closure of The All Christians Gathering Ministry in Surulere. The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) confirmed it will sanction facilities exceeding permissible noise levels after investigations and warnings. The action responds to resident complaints about late-night activities disrupting sleep.
LASEPA General Manager Dr. Tunde Ajayi stated regulations apply to all establishments using public address systems. He specified permissible noise levels in residential areas are 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night. Ajayi outlined a four-stage enforcement process: abatement notice, pre-sanction notice, sealing, and fines. He noted recently sealed facilities had ignored two previous warnings. He urged residents to report genuine cases, assuring more sanctions would follow investigations.
The Lagos State chapters of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) backed the government’s actions. Bishop Stephen Adegbite, CAN Chairman, said churches lack justification for disturbing residents with loud noise during late-night services. Similarly, Sheikh Imran Eleha, Chief Imam of Daaru Na’im Central Mosque, supported the closures. He cited Islamic teachings prohibiting inconvenience to neighbors and warned against using religion to threaten the government. He clarified that only the call to prayer justifies external loudspeakers.
However, Daood Molaasan, National President of Jama’at Ta’awunil Muslimeen, opposed closing worship centers. He described the measure as extreme and urged alternative actions like banning night vigils. Molaasan argued shutting centers could make the government an enemy of the people. He suggested convening meetings with religious leaders to issue warnings instead. He proposed that those wishing to hold vigils should do so at home or without microphones.
The initial enforcement targeted The All Christians Gathering Ministry after a resident’s social media appeal. State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab announced the closure, stating an investigation confirmed environmental regulation violations. He dismissed allegations of selective justice, insisting the exercise was not directed at any specific religious group. The social media controversy highlighted tensions between residents’ rights to peace and religious practices.