Ogun State Launches Major Health Audit: Over 500 Residents Screened for Lead Poisoning in Ogijo

 

In a proactive response to growing public health concerns, the Ogun State Government has commenced an independent and extensive screening exercise, testing more than 500 residents for lead poisoning in the Ogijo community.

The audit, described as a "major health audit," is being conducted in collaboration with relevant medical experts and institutions, including the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR). Fieldwork reportedly began last week, with over 500 blood samples already collected using a stratified scientific methodology to ensure representative coverage of factory workers, suppliers, nearby residents, and other potentially affected individuals.

This move comes amid heightened alarm over lead contamination in Ogijo, a densely populated border community between Ogun and Lagos states, known for its cluster of battery-recycling operations. Investigative reports from late 2025, including collaborations between The Examination, Premium Times, and The New York Times, revealed alarmingly high blood lead levels (BLLs) among tested individuals—far exceeding the World Health Organization's (WHO) threshold of 5 µg/dL—linked to emissions and poor regulatory oversight at recycling plants.

In response to those findings, the state government previously shut down several offending factories and pledged to verify and expand testing beyond initial small-scale samples (such as the 70-person tests cited in reports). Officials emphasized the need for a broader, more robust assessment to accurately gauge the extent of exposure in a community of over 11,000 people.

The Commissioner for Health and other state officials have reiterated commitment to environmental safety and public health, with free testing centers established (including at the Ogijo Primary Health Centre) to facilitate voluntary participation. Factories implicated remain sealed pending the audit's conclusions and any further environmental impact assessments.

Lead poisoning poses severe risks, particularly to children, causing irreversible neurological damage, developmental delays, and other long-term health issues. Adults face risks including cardiovascular problems, kidney damage, and reproductive complications.

Health authorities urge residents in affected areas to participate in the screening and adopt precautionary measures, such as avoiding contaminated soil or water sources. The state government has assured that results will inform targeted interventions, remediation efforts, and policy updates to prevent future exposures.

This audit underscores Ogun State's resolve to address environmental hazards decisively, protecting vulnerable communities from the silent threat of heavy metal poisoning. Updates on findings and next steps are expected as the exercise progresses.