The Anambra State Government has issued a strong warning to churches operating near schools, directing them to stop disrupting academic activities with excessive noise.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, gave the directive on Wednesday while addressing a petition from a private school in Onitsha against the Divine Dominion Prophetic Ministry.
The petition, submitted by the school’s proprietress, Lady Ngozi Udeh, stated that the church, located directly opposite the school, generates disruptive noise during services, particularly on Tuesdays 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 read.
Commissioner Chuma-Udeh stated that Governor Chukwuma Soludo would not tolerate any infringement on students’ right to learn in a peaceful environment.
“Noise pollution is an offence under Nigerian law and is punishable once established. This is a call on religious institutions to ensure that noise generated from their premises was properly contained, especially when schools are located within hearing distance,” she said.
Noting that the school existed before the church moved in, she directed the church to reschedule its weekday activities to start from 4:00 pm, after school hours. She warned that failure to comply would lead to involvement of the Ministry of Environment and 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,” the Commissioner added.
In response, the Assistant Pastor of the church, Emmanuel Ukpabi, pledged that the congregation would seek harmonious ways to coexist with the school.
This warning follows a similar move by Governor Soludo in June 2025, when he threatened a ₦500,000 fine against roadside preachers causing noise pollution in markets and public spaces.
