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, assuring families that they will not be left to shoulder the financial burden.

The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, gave the assurance yesterday 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 described the incident as a public health emergency, adding that the government had a responsibility to provide medical support to those affected.

“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.

The commissioner explained that pupils treated at public hospitals received medical care at the government’s expense, including oxygen administration, before they were discharged.

He added that parents who took their children to private hospitals would also be reimbursed 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 .”

According to Oresanya, the local government had established a control room where affected parents could submit their bills for reimbursement.

“The local government has opened a kind of control room. You take it there, the government will pay”.

He added: “The government will refund because public health in Nigeria is a government responsibility. We are not shying away from that reality.”

The latest incident is the most recent in a series of reported gas-emission occurrences in Ijebuland since April 2026, raising concerns over the safety of schools and surrounding communities.

On April 1, at least 30 students and a teacher were hospitalised following a similar incident at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School in Ijebu-Ode. The state government subsequently ordered the school’s closure and provided free medical treatment for those affected.

Another incident on May 15 reportedly affected more than 100 students and teachers across several schools, while 69 students were hospitalised following a further occurrence on June 3.

The October 21 incident reportedly affected pupils in Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Ago-Iwoye. Some of the affected children were said to have experienced breathing difficulties, drowsiness and fainting.

Although preliminary investigations identified methane in samples collected from affected areas, authorities are yet to establish the source of the recurring emissions.

Oresanya said the state government was working with researchers from Olabisi Onabanjo University and relevant federal technical agencies to determine the origin of the gas.

He disclosed that the university’s Department of Health Sciences had been involved in the investigation, which included aeromagnetic investigations and ground magnetic surveys.

“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 “.

The commissioner said investigators were examining 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 assured residents that investigations were continuing and that the government would provide further updates as more findings became available.

The reimbursement pledge is expected to ease the financial pressure on families who paid for emergency treatment, while questions remain over the source of the recurring emissions and the measures needed to prevent further incidents.

With several reported occurrences since April, residents and school communities will be looking to the ongoing investigation to establish the cause of the emissions and provide lasting safeguards for pupils, teachers and other residents of Ijebuland.