The Lagos State Government has ordered the indefinite closure of the Oko Oba Abattoir in Agege due to gross violations of environmental laws and failure to maintain acceptable hygiene standards. This development was made public in a recent announcement by state officials, following mounting concerns over the deteriorating sanitary conditions at one of the state’s largest meat processing facilities.
The closure comes after several warnings were issued to the operators and concessionaires managing the abattoir. Government agencies, including the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), and the Ministry of Agriculture, have repeatedly flagged the facility for non-compliance with established health regulations. Officials cited practices such as improper waste disposal, the unsafe processing of animal products, and the presence of hazardous by-products as key reasons for the shutdown.
In previous months, the Oko Oba Abattoir had come under scrutiny for unsanitary practices that posed a risk to public health. Earlier in the year, the Lagos State Government briefly closed the abattoir for four days to allow for the refurbishment of meat transport vehicles and the sanitation of the facility. Roads leading to the slaughterhouse were also repaired, and certain areas within the premises were cleaned and renovated. However, according to officials, those measures were not sustained, and violations continued despite repeated warnings.
Particularly alarming was the dangerous practice of processing “ponmo” (cow skin) using burning tyres—a method known to release toxic substances harmful to human health and the environment. This led to the earlier shutdown of the ponmo processing section within the abattoir, but the broader facility remained operational until now. The government has now taken more decisive action, declaring the entire abattoir closed until further notice.
This move underscores the state government’s renewed commitment to ensuring food safety and environmental responsibility in Lagos. Authorities have indicated that the closure is part of a broader effort to upgrade the state’s meat processing and distribution systems to align with global health and safety standards. A comprehensive clean-up and restructuring process is expected before the facility can be considered for reopening.
The closure is likely to have a ripple effect on meat supply within the state, as Oko Oba is a major distribution point for beef and other animal products. In response, the Lagos State Government has encouraged vendors and consumers to utilize other government-approved abattoirs located in Mile 12, Achakpo, and Itire, all of which are subject to regular inspections and oversight.
Residents, health professionals, and market stakeholders have largely welcomed the decision, noting that the government’s action is necessary to prevent potential outbreaks of disease and to protect the environment. Many have called for even stricter enforcement of food safety laws across all abattoirs in Lagos.
