Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association Commends Lagos Govt for Oko-Oba Abattoir

The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Lagos State Chapter, commends the Lagos State Government for its decisive action in closing the Oko-Oba Abattoir in Agege, as announced by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, on June 19, 2025.

This closure, prompted by persistent unhygienic practices, environmental violations, and unsafe meat handling, is a critical step toward safeguarding public health in Lagos State.

The deplorable conditions at the Oko-Oba Abattoir, including improper waste disposal, untreated effluent discharge into public drains, and inadequate hygiene standards, have long posed significant risks to consumers.

These conditions, coupled with the lack of proper ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections, increase the potential for zoonotic diseases such as bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis, anthrax, and salmonellosis, which can be transmitted from animals to humans through contaminated meat.

The NVMA has consistently advocated for improved meat hygiene standards to prevent such health hazards, and this closure underscores the urgency of addressing these issues. Veterinarians play an indispensable role in ensuring meat safety and public health.

Through rigorous ante-mortem inspections, veterinarians assess the health of animals before slaughter, identifying those unfit for consumption.

Post-mortem inspections further ensure that meat is free from disease and contamination, protecting consumers from foodborne illnesses.

The limited number of qualified veterinarians—less than fifty in Lagos State for the daily slaughter of approximately 6,000 cattle—highlights the urgent need for increased veterinary oversight and resources to uphold meat hygiene standards.

In a very recent meeting with the Commisioner of Agriculture represented by the Permanent secretary of the ministry Mr Audu, the NVMA lagos Chairman pledged his readiness to lead the veterinary community in spearheading efforts to safeguard the public health through best practices.

The NVMA Lagos Chapter calls for immediate action to address the systemic challenges in abattoir operations, including inadequate infrastructure, untrained meat inspectors, and weak enforcement of existing laws.

We urge the Lagos State Government to invest in modernizing abattoir facilities, employing more veterinary professionals, and enforcing stricter regulations to ensure compliance with hygiene standards.

Additionally, we appeal to the public to support these efforts by reporting illegal slaughter operations and demanding hygienically processed meat.

The closure of Oko-Oba Abattoir is a wake-up call for all stakeholders to prioritize public health.

The NVMA remains committed to collaborating with the government, abattoir operators, and the public to enhance meat hygiene practices and ensure safe, wholesome meat for Lagosians.

We will continue our public awareness campaigns to educate consumers on the dangers of unwholesome meat and advocate for sustainable solutions to improve food safety across the state.