Korede Abdullah 
Lagos State Commissioner, Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos State Government, on Tuesday uncovered alarming levels of toxic chemicals above World Health Organization safety limits in industrial waste discharged across the Ikeja industrial corridor.
The findings emerged during the 2026 ministerial briefing by the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources following extensive soil, water and sediment investigations in one of the city’s largest manufacturing hubs.
Officials said nitrate, ammonium, copper and zinc concentrations discovered in affected areas exceeded WHO-approved safety thresholds, raising concerns over public health and environmental safety.
According to the ministry, geospatial pollution mapping traced contamination to industrial activities linked to chemical processing, metal fabrication and manufacturing operations.
Authorities warned that nitrate contamination could trigger methemoglobinemia, commonly known as “blue baby syndrome,” in infants, while excessive ammonium poses severe threats to aquatic ecosystems.
The ministry also noted that elevated copper exposure may lead to liver damage in humans, while excessive zinc contamination can degrade soil quality and disrupt biodiversity.
“The contamination maps are being used as evidence to impose non-compliance charges on operators linked to the polluted discharge,” the report stated.
However, the government did not disclose the identities of companies connected to the hazardous waste discharge or the specific penalties imposed.
Beyond Ikeja, the state said groundwater monitoring has intensified around landfill sites in Ogudu, Alapere, Oworonsoki, Ikorodu and Ojo through dedicated boreholes installed to track pollution levels and ensure compliance with global standards.
Officials added that Lagos is developing a georeferenced environmental protection database to monitor pollution trends across the state.
The ministry also confirmed collaboration with the Lagos Waste Management Authority to tackle illegal dredging, sand overloading and unauthorised land reclamation along the Ajah-Ibeju Lekki-Epe corridor.
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