The Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has sealed St. Mary Catholic Cathedral, Oke-Padre, Ibadan, over allegations of air pollution and improper sewage disposal.
The development was disclosed by the Archbishop of the Ibadan Archdiocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, during a press conference held at the Pastoral Institute in Bodija, Ibadan, in commemoration of the 2025 World Communications Day.
Archbishop Abegunrin criticized the state government’s action, describing the closure as abrupt and lacking due process.
He stated that the ministry failed to issue any prior notice or warning before sealing the church.
“There was no information, no notice, no ultimatum,” Abegunrin said. “They first sealed the toilets and later chained the entrance to the cathedral.
When we inquired, they claimed to be from the Ministry of Environment and said they were acting on a petition from a neighbour, which they refused to show us.”
The archbishop further revealed that the church had been fined ₦500,000 for the alleged infractions.
Responding to the incident, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Sunday Ojelabi, confirmed the enforcement action.
He said the ministry acted on a formal complaint from a neighbour alleging persistent pollution from the church premises, dating back to the previous year.
“Following an inspection on Monday, we sealed the church on Tuesday,” Ojelabi said.
“Though the church later reopened the premises without authorization, the original action was based on a valid petition concerning air pollution and improper sewage management.”
He defended the imposed fine, clarifying that the ₦500,000 penalty was in accordance with environmental regulations and was to be paid into the state government’s account—not a personal one.
“This is a statutory enforcement for a public health issue.
The law empowers us to act swiftly in such cases,” he added.
Meanwhile, addressing journalists on World Communications Day, Archbishop Abegunrin urged media practitioners to use their platforms responsibly to promote unity, truth, and hope.
“Your words and images shape public perception. They can build or destroy, heal or hurt. Let the media be a voice for what is noble, true, and uplifting,” he said.