The Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has shut down St. Mary Catholic Cathedral in Oke-Padre, Ibadan, following allegations of improper sewage management and air pollution.
Archbishop Gabriel Abegunrin of the Ibadan Archdiocese made the announcement during a press event held at the Pastoral Institute in Bodija to mark the 2025 World Communications Day.
The Archbishop expressed disappointment over the ministry’s handling of the situation, highlighting that the church received no prior warning or official notice before the closure.
“They sealed the church’s restroom and later locked the cathedral entrance without informing us in advance,” Abegunrin said.
“When we inquired, ministry officials claimed they acted on a complaint from a neighbor, but they declined to provide us with the petition.”
He further revealed that the church was fined ₦500,000 for the alleged environmental violations.
Confirming the action, Sunday Ojelabi, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, explained that the ministry responded to a petition about ongoing issues of pollution from the church property.
“After inspecting the site on Monday, we sealed the premises on Tuesday. The complaint alleged the pollution has been a problem since last year,” Ojelabi stated.
He added that although the ministry locked the cathedral, the entrance was later forcefully reopened.
Ojelabi defended the penalty, noting it is a statutory fine payable to the government and not a personal charge.
“This is in accordance with environmental laws that allow immediate intervention in public health hazards,” he said.
In his remarks during the World Communications Day event, Archbishop Abegunrin encouraged media professionals to use their platforms responsibly to promote messages of hope, unity, and integrity.
“Media shapes public perception and can influence society for better or worse. It is vital to ensure that your content reflects honesty and positivity,” he said.