THE ANAMBRA STATE GOVT HAS CAUTIONED CHURCHES LOCATED CLOSE TO SCHOOLS TO STOP ACTIVITIES THAT DISTRACT AND DISRUPT ACADEMIC LEARNING THROUGH EXCESSIVE NOISE.(PHOTO).

 The Anambra State Government has cautioned churches located close to schools to stop activities that distract and disrupt academic learning through excessive noise.

The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, issued the warning on Wednesday while addressing a complaint of noise pollution affecting a private school in Onitsha.

The warning followed a petition by the school’s Proprietress, Lady Ngozi Udeh, against Divine Dominion Prophetic Ministry, Onitsha, which is located directly opposite the school. 

        According to the petition, the church constructed its auditorium in 2024 and has recently intensified its activities, generating excessive noise, especially on Tuesdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The petitioner said the loud noise has consistently distracted students and teachers, severely disrupting teaching and learning during official school hours, adding that several verbal appeals to the church leadership had yielded no results.

While addressing both parties, Prof. Chuma-Udeh stressed that Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo would not tolerate any action that infringes on students’ constitutional right to learn in a peaceful and conducive environment.

She described noise pollution as an offence under Nigerian law and warned religious institutions to ensure that noise from their premises is properly contained, particularly when schools are nearby. The commissioner noted that the school existed long before the church moved into the area and urged peaceful coexistence, describing it as a core Christian value.

She directed the church to reschedule its 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 possible legal consequences.

Prof. Chuma-Udeh also emphasized that while churches may hold extended activities on Saturdays and Sundays, external examinations such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB must always take priority, even on Saturdays.

In response, the Assistant Pastor of Divine Dominion Prophetic Ministry, Emmanuel Ukpabi, assured that the church would work harmoniously with the school to ensure mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.

Recall that in June 2025 that Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo warned roadside preachers using loudspeakers in public places, especially markets, over noise pollution, stating that violators would face a ₦500,000 fine.