As part of the 2025 International Noise Awareness Day celebration, the Ogun State Government has called on residents to adopt responsible communication practices and reduce environmental noise pollution.

The appeal was made by the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, in a statement marking the global event themed, “Protect Your Hearing, Protect Your Health.”

Oresanya emphasised that while effective communication is essential to everyday life, excessive noise has become a pressing environmental and public health issue. He described noise pollution as a nuisance with serious implications for wellbeing, urging citizens to foster quieter, healthier communities.

“It is in realisation of this that the Ministry of Environment is using the celebration to remind residents of the maximum permissible noise levels for residential areas, places of worship, and commercial centres,” the commissioner stated.

He highlighted the government’s approved noise limits: 50 decibels during the day and 35 decibels at night for residential areas; 60 decibels by day and 40 at night for places of worship; and the same 60/40 decibel standard for entertainment and commercial venues.

Oresanya warned that operators exceeding these thresholds risk sanctions. In 2024 alone, the state government sanctioned 175 violators, including religious centres and commercial establishments. Of these, 45 facilities were permanently shut down for repeated non-compliance.

The commissioner urged community development associations (CDAs) across Ogun State to establish and enforce neighbourhood-specific noise limits, stressing that these must be mutually agreed upon and respected by all residents.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting public awareness and voluntary compliance through education, engagement, and moral persuasion rather than punitive measures alone.

“The goal is to ensure a healthy environment where everyone can thrive without the negative effects of uncontrolled noise,” Oresanya said.