BY AKITUNDE AKINYEMI OLUWASEUN
In a bid to curb the negative impacts of untreated industrial effluent and air pollutants on the environment, and to further sensitise industries on the urgent need for responsible industrial waste management, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) on Tuesday organised a statewide awareness and sensitisation seminar themed: “Treat Your Industrial Waste Responsibly and Protect Our Environment for a Sustainable Future.”
The event, held at JJT Park, Alausa, Ikeja, convened key environmental stakeholders, industry operators, policymakers, and students to deliberate on sustainable approaches to industrial waste and emission management across Lagos State.
In his welcome address, the General Manager of LASEPA, Dr Tunde Ajayi, emphasised the necessity of continuous engagement with industries, noting that proactive sensitisation remains one of the most effective strategies for improving environmental compliance.
According to him, “This seminar is one of the deliberate efforts we have put together to engage major industrial operators – those we refer to as regional polluters – who generate effluent and waste on a commercial scale. It is important to bring them together at least twice a year to discuss emerging issues and reinforce best practices. Prevention is better than cure, and consistent advocacy is one of the most efficient ways to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.”
Speaking further on the health risks associated with untreated waste, Dr Ajayi said, “Up to 70–80% of environmental protection efforts are geared towards safeguarding human health. Untreated effluent from pharmaceutical companies, for instance, may contain chemicals that can cause skin irritation or more severe health challenges when they contaminate homes or public spaces. Effluents from food and beverage companies may contain harmful bacteria capable of triggering cholera outbreaks in communities.”
On enforcement, the General Manager reaffirmed commitment to adopting global best practices in the State to ensure compliance. “In the past year alone, LASEPA sanctioned about 70 industries for non-compliance. However, we have recorded steady improvement, moving from 25% to almost 40% compliance across sectors. While many multinational industries comply fully, smaller operators struggle due to cost, which is why LASEPA operates a treatment plant where industries can treat their wastewater at subsidised rates,” he noted.
In his keynote address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Engr Olakunle Akodu, emphasised the State Government’s dedication to building a cleaner, healthier, and environmentally responsible Lagos
Engr Akodu, who was represented by the Director of Environmental Education, Mrs Banire Monsurat, highlighted the importance of the initiative, describing Lagos as the industrial and commercial heartbeat of Nigeria, where thousands of factories and manufacturing facilities contribute significantly to its economic growth.
He emphasised that the government alone cannot resolve these issues and industries alone cannot solve them, but together, Lagos can become cleaner, safer, and healthier
The Special Adviser highlighted the State’s significant investments in environmental protection, including the upgrading of LASEPA laboratories for real-time environmental analysis, installation of mini effluent treatment systems, strengthened enforcement frameworks, and support for industries adopting cleaner technologies
Engr Akodu commended the General Manager of LASEPA and the Agency’s team for their commitment to driving environmental reforms, and appreciated partners, sponsors, participating industries, and students for supporting the campaign
Delivering his presentation titled “Sustainable Approach to Effluent and Air Pollutants Management in Lagos State,” former General Manager of LASEPA, Engr. Antonio Ayodele highlighted the evolving environmental challenges triggered by rapid industrialisation. He stressed the importance of modern treatment technologies, periodic monitoring, and capacity-building for industries, adding that sustainable waste management remains central to the state’s development agenda.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Government on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, who represented the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Oluwatoni Adeyemi, delivered a comprehensive presentation on “Health Implications of Untreated Effluent and Air Pollutants: Causes, Effects and Solutions.”
She noted that the environment directly impacts human health, stating: “The air we breathe, the water we drink, and even the food we consume are all connected to environmental quality. Polluted water and air not only affect us immediately; their long-term effects can span generations. Some pollutants cross the placenta, causing miscarriages, congenital anomalies, and long-term health complications in unborn children.”
She added that exposure to untreated effluents and air pollutants could lead to conditions such as asthma, lung cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and widespread community infections.