The Anambra State government has warned churches located close to schools to desist from excessive noise pollution and disruption of academic activities.
Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, issued the warning on Wednesday following complaints of noise pollution affecting a private school in Onitsha, the commercial hub of the state.
The commissioner was responding to a petition submitted by the proprietress of the school against the Divine Dominion Prophetic Ministry, Onitsha, which is situated directly opposite the school premises.
The petitioner noted that the church, which completed its auditorium in 2024, has recently stepped up its activities, producing excessive noise, especially on Tuesdays, when services are said to last from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
She stated that the excessive noise pollution has persistently distracted students and teachers, severely disrupting teaching and learning during official school hours.
The proprietress added that several verbal appeals made to the church’s leadership had yielded no positive result.
“The noise has consistently distracted students and teachers, severely disrupting teaching and learning during official school hours,” the petition read.
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“Despite several verbal appeals to the church leadership, the situation has not improved.”
Addressing both parties in her office, Chuma-Udeh stressed that Governor Chukwuma Soludo would not tolerate any action that infringes on students’ constitutional right to learn in a peaceful and conducive environment.
“Noise pollution is an offence under Nigerian law and is punishable once established,” she said.
“This is a call on religious institutions to ensure that noise generated from their premises is properly contained, especially when schools are within hearing distance.”
The commissioner noted that the school existed long before the church moved into the area and urged the church to explore peaceful ways of coexisting with the school, describing peaceful coexistence as a core Christian value.
She directed the church to reschedule its weekday activities to commence from 4:00 p.m., after school hours, warning that failure to comply would compel the Ministry of Education to involve the Ministry of Environment, with attendant legal consequences.
Chuma-Udeh further emphasised that while churches may hold extended activities on Saturdays and Sundays, external examinations such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB must take priority, even on weekends.
Responding, the Assistant Pastor of Divine Dominion Prophetic Ministry, Emmanuel Ukpabi, pledged that the church would work harmoniously with the school to ensure mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
Our correspondent recalls that in June 2025, Gov. Soludo cautioned roadside preachers against the use of loudspeakers in public places, especially markets, citing concerns over noise pollution.
He warned that offenders would be fined ₦500,000 for violating the state’s noise pollution regulations.
