From zoonotic disease threats and putrid air pollution to the butchering of diseased and dead livestock for public consumption, the Oko-Oba abattoir in Agege, Lagos, has repeatedly made headlines for the wrong reasons.
Despite its vital role in Lagos’ food supply chain as the largest abattoir in the state, the facility has long operated under conditions that experts, residents and even the government agree pose a danger to public health and environmental safety.
“If people visit our abattoirs, they won’t want to consume meat again,” Yusuf Ridwan, a Veterinary Doctor, told EKO HOT BLOG, noting that most abattoirs, including Oko-Oba abattoir, operate under poor sanitary conditions.
EDITOR’S PICKS
On Thursday, Oko-Oba abattoir was back in the news as the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the immediate closure of the facility after an inspection revealed shocking violations of environmental laws.
Operators at the facility were found dumping animal blood and wastewater directly into public drains and into the premises of a neighbouring private business, Forth-Walt Farm. The inspection followed a formal complaint from the Ministry of Agriculture.
“This reckless endangerment of public health and defiance of environmental laws is unacceptable,” Wahab stated.
He emphasised that the abattoir will remain shut until operators install functional waste treatment systems. The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), LAWMA and other agencies have been tasked with enforcement.
2022: Stench from Oko-Oba Abattoir Troubled Residents, Traders
In November 2022, Punch reported on the persistent environmental degradation caused by the abattoir. Visiting the facility, reporters were greeted by an overpowering stench, a common complaint among residents and traders.
Beyond the smell, the report found meat being slaughtered on bare concrete floors, unrestricted access to the slaughter area, and filthy drainage systems clogged with blood, cow dung and decomposing animal waste.
Even Eko Meat Vans, intended to transport meat under hygienic conditions, were observed being loaded with slabs carried in dirty sacks and bowls, revealing a deep culture of disregard for food safety protocols.
2023: Dead and Diseased Livestock Slaughtered for Sale
A year later, in November 2023, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) uncovered even darker secrets. Journalist Emmanuel Uti observed firsthand how dead and visibly sick cows were being carted in, washed with tap water and slaughtered for public sale.
The investigation revealed at least 11 dead cows brought in within 10 minutes, all showing signs of illness or decay. Despite this, no veterinary action was taken. Instead, butchers processed the meat quickly for public distribution.
The report triggered a temporary sanitation exercise, but observers noted it was reactive rather than reformative.
2010: Fascioliasis and a History of Zoonotic Threats
But this is not a new problem. A 2010 study by Ibironke Ademola, published in the African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition, and Development, provides perhaps the most damning long-term evidence.
Between 2004 and 2007, Ademola conducted a daily review of cattle slaughtered at Oko-Oba abattoir and found a high prevalence of fascioliasis, a dangerous zoonotic disease caused by liver flukes that can infect humans.
With over 1.17 million cattle slaughtered during the study, the implications were alarming. The researcher warned that infected liver tissue was routinely passed on to the public and recommended immediate reforms. Yet, 15 years later, the same public health risks remain, if not worse.
Will This Be the Turning Point?
The shutdown ordered by Wahab may be the boldest government intervention yet, but the abattoir’s long and dangerous history raises the question of why it took this long for the Lagos government to act.
FURTHER READING
Whether this marks the beginning of genuine reform or just another brief pause before business as usual resumes, only time and continued scrutiny will tell.
Philip Ibitoye is a Special Correspondent with EKO HOT BLOG. Click here to find daily analysis and critical insight on trending issues in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
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