Lagos lays down tough terms for reopening Oko-Oba Abattoir

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Lagos State Government has declared that the Oko-Oba Abattoir will remain closed indefinitely until its operators commit to complying with the state’s environmental regulations.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this clear on Sunday while speaking on a live television programme.

He reiterated that the abattoir would only be reopened when the operators show a willingness to meet the minimum standards expected of a modern, hygienic slaughter facility.

Wahab explained that the closure followed repeated violations of environmental laws, particularly unsanitary practices, indiscriminate waste disposal, and the unhygienic handling of animal products.

He added that neighbouring property owners had suffered damage from the abattoir’s poor waste management practices, a long-standing concern among local residents.

“We made difficult but necessary decisions,” Wahab said.

“Despite prior engagements with the operators urging them to adopt cleaner practices, they continued to defy regulations.

Resorting to religious sentiment as a form of blackmail is unacceptable. We cannot permit slaughtering practices that pollute public infrastructure and endanger the health and property of Lagosians.”

The commissioner revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture had petitioned his office after observing a worsening environmental situation at the abattoir. During a recent inspection, officials were appalled by the level of degradation.

According to Wahab, animals were pushed out of designated pens to make room for humans to sleep, while waste and blood from slaughtered animals were being discharged into public drainage channels.

He also noted that despite the availability of mechanised and semi-mechanised slaughter infrastructure—currently underutilised at just 10% capacity—operators continue to cling to outdated and dangerous methods.

“This is not a jungle. Lagos is a civilised society. We have shown them better ways. Years ago, they were taken abroad to see how slaughterhouses are run efficiently. But many remain resistant to change,” Wahab said.

Following the closure, some operators reportedly relocated slaughter activities to an abandoned gas station and roadside locations.

The government has since deployed enforcement teams to curb such illegal practices.

Addressing concerns over rising meat prices, Wahab said public health and safety take precedence.

“Yes, there might be temporary price hikes. But should we risk lives and destroy public infrastructure just to keep prices low?” he asked.

He added that regulatory bodies such as the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), and Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LASWAMO) are working in coordination to ensure proper abattoir operations.

He also disclosed that the government had met with the abattoir concessionaire, Harmony Abattoir, and the operators’ leader, Galadima, to insist on treating waste via effluent plants instead of discharging it into public drains.

Wahab tied the environmental degradation at the abattoir to broader challenges of climate change in Lagos, a coastal city vulnerable to sea level rise, excessive rainfall, and heatwaves.

He urged residents to support government efforts by adopting sustainable practices, such as tree planting and protecting green spaces.

“The flooding we’re seeing in areas like Ikota and Odo Iya Alaro is a result of years of negligence. We’ve removed over 1,100 contraventions from drainage alignments and cleaned nearly 666,000 primary channels in the last two years,” he said.

He also warned developers against encroaching on wetland areas in places such as Iketu, Agbowa, and Magodo, stressing that the government is taking a firm stand to preserve the state’s ecological balance.

Wahab appealed to residents for patience, saying environmental and infrastructure reforms take time.

“Drainage projects can’t be completed in a year, but we’re making consistent progress. Nature is sending us warnings. Heavy rainfall and extreme heat are becoming the norm. As a government, we’ll continue to respect and protect our environment. We ask the people to do the same.”