The Senate on Thursday raised serious concerns over the rapidly escalating lead-poisoning disaster in Ogijo, a heavily populated community on the Lagos–Ogun border, describing it as a full-scale environmental and public-health emergency endangering thousands of residents.
The matter was brought before the chamber as an urgent motion co-sponsored by Senator Tokunbo Abiru (Lagos East) and Senator Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East). According to lawmakers, multiple scientific investigations traced the contamination to clusters of used lead-acid battery recycling factories that have operated in the area for several years.
Residents have reportedly suffered severe health symptoms, including persistent headaches, stomach pain, memory loss, seizures, cognitive decline, and developmental delays in children—classic signs of long-term lead exposure.
The Senate noted that the Federal Government had already begun crackdowns. Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, recently shut down seven battery-recycling plants and ordered a temporary stop to the export of lead ingots pending safety reviews.
Despite years of community protests, lawmakers lamented that smelters continued operating in the open, releasing toxic fumes and dust into homes, markets, and schools. Independent tests commissioned by The Examination and The New York Times revealed shocking levels of contamination, with some soil samples showing lead concentrations up to 186 times the global safety limit.
Another troubling dimension, senators said, is that lead processed in Ogijo has already entered international supply chains—reaching global battery and automobile companies, some of which failed to act after being informed.
While acknowledging factory owners’ denials, the Senate stressed that exposure in the community remains dangerously high due to weak regulation and insufficient accountability.
Lawmakers commended both Lagos and Ogun State Governments for early inspections, public-awareness efforts, and collaboration with federal agencies to contain the crisis. They also cited constitutional provisions that mandate government to safeguard citizens’ welfare and maintain a safe environment.
After deliberation, the Senate resolved to:
Praise the Federal Government, Lagos, and Ogun States for shutting down non-compliant factories.
Call for continued enforcement, including factory closures, prosecution of offenders, and stricter industrial monitoring.
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Direct the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC to deploy emergency medical teams to provide free toxicology tests, blood-lead treatment, and long-term care.
Mandate the Ministry of Environment and NESREA to carry out comprehensive environmental cleanup and mapping of contaminated areas.
Urge tighter regulations on battery-recycling and lead-processing nationwide.
Recommend the creation of a National Lead Poisoning Response Task Force under NEMA.
Assign the Committee on Legislative Compliance to monitor implementation and report within six weeks.
The Senate concluded that the Ogijo disaster is a preventable tragedy—and a strong reminder of the urgent need for better industrial regulation, environmental stewardship, and protection of vulnerable Nigerian communities from hazardous waste.
