Ogun begins health audit, tests 500 residents for lead exposure

The Ogun State Government has launched an independent health audit in Ogijo, located in Sagamu Local Government Area, amid concerns over possible lead exposure among residents.

The move follows the state’s decision last November to shut down seven factories involved in lead-acid battery recycling along the Ogijo axis over suspected lead contamination. Authorities also temporarily suspended the export of lead ingots pending the outcome of investigations.

The intervention was prompted by a viral video that raised alarm about possible poisoning in the community, leading to an on-the-spot inspection led by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya. The government subsequently initiated environmental audits and regulatory reviews aimed at protecting public health and rebuilding trust.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, announced the start of the health audit during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Ologijo Palace, revealing that blood samples had been collected from more than 500 scientifically selected residents to determine their blood lead levels.

According to Coker, international media attention placed the community under global scrutiny, necessitating a structured response. She said the Ministries of Health and Environment visited the area soon after the reports surfaced to reassure residents and outline a monitoring and response framework.

The Ministry of Environment, she noted, conducted environmental assessments following the closure of facilities identified as potential risks. The health ministry, meanwhile, adopted a scientific approach to the audit after Governor Dapo Abiodun directed that the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research be engaged to independently carry out the study to ensure transparency and credibility.

Coker said the institute began fieldwork last week, collecting samples using a stratified methodology that included residents previously identified with elevated lead levels, as well as pregnant women, nursing mothers, children and other members of the community.

She added that although some facilities earlier sealed had been reopened after compliance reviews, the health ministry would introduce periodic blood lead testing for workers in affected industries to prevent future exposure.

Director-General of NIMR, Prof. Oladipo Obafunwa, confirmed that a professional team was deployed to conduct the exercise in line with established scientific standards, ensuring that the sampling process represented vulnerable groups and that laboratory analysis would be handled with integrity.

Speaking on behalf of residents, the traditional ruler, Oba Kazeem Gbadamosi, commended the government for what he described as a timely and transparent intervention, assuring authorities of the community’s cooperation and expressing hope that the audit results would provide clarity and reassurance.