By Peace Udugba
The Ogun State Government has pledged to reimburse parents and guardians who paid for medical treatment at private hospitals for pupils affected by the latest gas-emission incident in Ijebuland.
The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, gave the assurance on Thursday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, following the incident on Wednesday, October 21, which reportedly left more than 100 pupils requiring medical attention after exposure to a strong chemical odour.
Oresanya said the government had accepted responsibility for the medical expenses arising from the incident, describing it as a public health emergency that required urgent government intervention.
“This is a public health emergency, and it is part of the major component of the social contract that the government has to handle with the people,” he said.
Government Assumes Responsibility for Medical Bills
The commissioner explained that pupils treated at government hospitals received medical attention at the state’s expense, including oxygen administration where necessary, before being discharged.
“So, all the students that were treated were on the bill of the government. All of them were taken to public hospitals. And all they did was to give them oxygen and they went home,” Oresanya said.
He added that parents who independently sought treatment for their children at private hospitals would also qualify for reimbursement upon submitting their medical bills through the designated channel.
“Those who went to private hospitals, fine. If you bring your bill, the government will pay,” he assured.
According to the commissioner, the local government had established a control room or emergency centre where affected parents could submit their medical bills for processing.
“The local government has opened a kind of control room. You take it there, the government will pay,” he said.
Oresanya reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting affected families, adding, “The government will refund because public health in Nigeria is a government responsibility. We are not shying away from that reality.”
Recurring Gas Emissions Raise Safety Concerns
The latest incident is part of a series of reported gas-emission occurrences in Ijebuland since April 2026, raising concerns about the safety of schools and surrounding communities.
On April 1, at least 30 students and a teacher were reportedly hospitalised following a similar incident at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School in Ijebu-Ode. The government subsequently ordered the school’s closure and provided free medical treatment for affected persons.
Another incident on May 15 reportedly affected more than 100 students and teachers across several schools, while 69 students were hospitalised following a third occurrence on June 3.
The latest incident, reported in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye on October 21, affected more than 100 pupils. Some reportedly experienced breathing difficulties, drowsiness and fainting after exposure to the strong odour.
Although preliminary investigations reportedly detected methane in samples collected around affected locations, authorities have yet to establish the definitive source of the recurring emissions.
OOU Researchers Investigate Source of Gas
Oresanya disclosed that the state government was working with researchers from Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) and relevant federal technical agencies to determine the geological origin of the gas.
He said researchers had conducted aeromagnetic investigations and ground magnetic surveys to help establish the nature and possible source of the emissions.
“The Department of Health Sciences of Olabisi Onabanjo University have been at the forefront of this investigation. And so far, so good, from the investigation carried out by the university, we have shown that we did what we call the aeromagnetic investigation in that area, and the ground magnetic survey also,” he said.
The commissioner explained that investigations were continuing to determine whether the gas originated from a shallow underground reservoir or a deeper geological formation.
“They are already on top of the situation and they are carrying out the deep-rooted investigation. So, where is that gas? Is it coming from a shallow reservoir, or is it a deep-rooted reservoir?” he asked.
He assured residents that the government was taking the situation seriously and would continue working with relevant experts to determine the cause of the emissions.
The reimbursement pledge is expected to ease the financial burden on families who paid for private medical treatment following the latest incident.
However, concerns remain over the recurring nature of the emissions, with residents and parents awaiting the outcome of investigations and effective measures to prevent further incidents and protect pupils and other members of the affected communities.
