The Anambra State government has warned churches near schools against disrupting academic activities with excessive noise
The warning came from the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, on Wednesday, following complaints about noise pollution affecting a private school in Onitsha
The complaint was submitted by Lady Ngozi Udeh, proprietress of the school, against Divine Dominion Prophetic Ministry, which is located directly opposite the school.
According to the petition, the church, which built its auditorium in 2024, has recently intensified its activities, producing loud noise, particularly on Tuesdays when services reportedly run from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
“The noise has consistently distracted students and teachers, severely disrupting teaching and learning during official school hours. Despite several verbal appeals to the church leadership, the situation has not improved,” the petition stated.
Addressing both parties in her office, Chuma-Udeh emphasized that Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo would not allow any action that infringes on students’ constitutional right to learn in a peaceful environment.
“Noise pollution is an offence under Nigerian law and is punishable once established. Religious institutions must ensure that noise from their premises is properly contained, especially when schools are within hearing distance,” she said.
Highlighting that the school was established before the church moved into the area, Chuma-Udeh urged the church to find peaceful ways to coexist, describing mutual respect as a core value of Christianity.
She instructed the church to reschedule weekday activities to begin from 4:00 pm, after school hours, warning that failure to comply would force the Ministry to involve the Ministry of Environment, with legal consequences.
“While churches may hold activities from morning till evening on Saturdays and Sundays, external examinations such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB must take precedence, even on Saturdays,” she added.
In response, the Assistant Pastor of Divine Dominion Prophetic Ministry, Emmanuel Ukpabi, pledged that the church would work to ensure peaceful coexistence and mutual respect with the school.
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