LASEPA marks 2025 International Noise Awareness Day
…vows tougher action on violators
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) on Wednesday joined the global observance of the 2025 International Noise Awareness Day (INAD), with a renewed commitment to combat noise pollution in the state. The event, themed “Protect Your Hearing, Protect Your Health,” was held at the agency’s headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja.
INAD is a global campaign aimed at highlighting the harmful effects of noise pollution on human health. Addressing participants at the press briefing, LASEPA General Manager, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, underscored the urgency of enforcing noise regulations, especially in a bustling urban environment like Lagos.
Dr. Ajayi praised the large turnout at the awareness campaign, which took place across several key areas of the state. He emphasized that noise pollution poses a significant threat to public health, affecting mental wellness, cardiovascular health, and general well-being. “Noise pollution is not just a nuisance; it is a serious public health issue,” he said.
Reeling out statistics, the LASEPA boss disclosed that the agency received 1,616 noise-related complaints over the past 18 months. He said 600 of these complaints led to enforcement actions involving religious centres, entertainment venues, clubs, lounges, and restaurants found violating permissible noise levels.
In a stern warning to repeat offenders, Dr. Ajayi announced that LASEPA would intensify enforcement efforts, including impounding sound equipment from defaulters. He particularly condemned the indiscriminate use of loudspeakers in open markets and public areas, saying such acts would no longer be tolerated.
To ease compliance, Dr. Ajayi revealed that the agency had digitised its sound permit application process, allowing residents to apply online via the agency’s website without visiting the office physically. He added that LASEPA would expand its sensitization efforts to grassroots levels through local governments and community development associations.
Earlier in her remarks, Mrs. Natufe Abosede, Director of the Noise Pollution Unit, reiterated the importance of hearing protection. She noted that proactive hearing health is critical, warning that persistent exposure to loud noise could lead to irreversible damage.
The event featured free hearing tests for attendees and was capped off with the presentation of an award of excellence to Dr. Ajayi by the Music Advertisement Association of Nigeria (MAAN), in recognition of his leadership and dedication to promoting environmental sustainability in Lagos State.
