By Abbas Nazil
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed the Sunseed Oil processing facility in Zaria, Kaduna State.
NatureNews notes that the decision was attributed to the company’s excessive emission of hazardous air that posed serious risks to public health and the environment.
The enforcement action, carried out on December 30, 2025, followed repeated reports and investigations confirming persistent air pollution emanating from the facility in violation of national environmental laws.
NESREA said the company failed to comply with the National Environmental (Air Quality Control) Regulations, which mandate the installation of pollution abatement equipment and the adoption of cleaner production practices.
According to the agency, the severity of the emissions created an immediate threat to nearby residents, workers, and the surrounding ecosystem, making the closure of the facility unavoidable.
Officials explained that prolonged exposure to unregulated emissions could result in respiratory illnesses, environmental degradation, and long-term public health challenges within the host community.
The sealing of the facility was described as a decisive regulatory intervention aimed at preventing further harm while compelling the operator to take corrective environmental measures.
NESREA emphasized that industrial operations across the country must prioritize environmental responsibility and operate strictly within the limits set by national regulations.
The agency noted that Sunseed Oil had been previously advised to address its emission control deficiencies but failed to implement the required pollution control technologies.
This failure, NESREA stated, demonstrated disregard for environmental standards and the wellbeing of the host community, necessitating strict enforcement.
The action aligns with NESREA’s statutory mandate to ensure industrial compliance and protect Nigerians from the harmful effects of unregulated industrial discharges, including air pollutants and effluents.
The Director General of NESREA, Professor Innocent Barikor, warned industrial operators nationwide to take environmental compliance seriously or face similar sanctions.
He stressed that economic activities must not be pursued at the expense of human health, ecological balance, and environmental sustainability.
Professor Barikor reaffirmed that NESREA would continue to monitor industries and take swift action against facilities that undermine national environmental protection efforts.
He added that compliance with environmental regulations is not optional but a legal and moral obligation for all operators.
Residents around the Zaria facility had reportedly complained of foul odours, smoke, and discomfort believed to be linked to the plant’s emissions.
Environmental experts note that unchecked industrial air pollution contributes significantly to climate stress, biodiversity loss, and rising healthcare burdens.
NESREA stated that the facility will remain sealed until it fully complies with all applicable environmental standards and receives clearance from the agency.
The agency also called on the public to report environmental violations, noting that community vigilance plays a key role in environmental governance.
NatureNews notes that the enforcement underscores the federal government’s broader commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection.
The press statement announcing the closure was signed by Nwamaka Ejiofor, Assistant Director of Press at NESREA, reinforcing the agency’s zero-tolerance stance on environmental violations.
