By OREVAH ESEGINE
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – A non-governmental organisation has called on government regulatory agencies to evolve stricter measures to control noise pollution across Nigeria.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with with PRECISE POST, the Programme Director/Chief Executive of the No Noise Awareness and Advocacy Initiative (NNAAI), Mrs. Tina Fawole, said that unchecked noise levels in urban and rural communities are silently becoming a public health crisis, demanding urgent intervention.
Mrs. Fawole lamented that despite existing environmental laws, enforcement remains weak, allowing indiscriminate noise from religious centres, entertainment spots, traffic, and industrial activities to persist.
According to her, “noise pollution is not just a nuisance; it is a silent killer. It contributes to stress, hypertension, hearing loss, and reduced productivity. Nigeria cannot afford to ignore this growing menace.”
Mrs. Fawole explained that prolonged exposure to excessive noise has been linked to cardiovascular diseases, sleep disorders, and impaired cognitive performance.
She stressed that children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable, noting that communities living near highways, airports, and factories often suffer the worst effects.
She added that beyond health, noise pollution erodes social harmony, creating tension among neighbours and disrupting learning environments. “Imagine school children trying to study while loudspeakers blare endlessly nearby. That is a violation of their right to a conducive environment,” she said.
The No Noise boss urged agencies such as the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and state-level environmental protection boards to intensify monitoring and sanction offenders.
She recommended stricter enforcement of existing noise control laws, public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on the dangers of noise, ommunity-based monitoring initiatives to empower residents to report violations and technological solutions such as decibel meters in public spaces to track compliance.
Mrs. Fawole highlighted that advocacy alone cannot solve the problem without citizens taking responsibility. She urged Nigerians to adopt quieter practices in homes, places of worship, and businesses.
“We must begin to see silence as a right and noise as an infringement,” she declared.
She further revealed that NNAAI is working on collaborative projects with schools, health institutions, religious and community leaders to promote a culture of quietness.
According to her, noise pollution remains one of the least-discussed environmental challenges in Nigeria, yet its impact is profound.
Mrs. Fawole’s call is a reminder that silence is not just golden — it is essential for public health, productivity, and national well-being.
