Critical Investigation on Housing and Musical Noise Pollution in Selected Neighborhoods in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Musical noise endangers the health, well-being and peaceful coexistence of people in neighbourhoods,

particularly in the urban centers. Archival materials, library sources, unstructured interviews, observation

and available statistics from government and its agencies were the data sources for this study. Simple

random percentile revealed the presence of uncontrolled noise pollution, which was more pronounced in

the high-density areas of Lagos such as Mushin, Oshodi, Ajegunle, and Alimosho, among others, when

compared with the low-density areas of Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki, and Banana Island. Several factors

accounted for the prevalence of musical noise pollution in the low- and high-density areas of Lagos,

including level of compliance with good neighbourliness, observance of basic social ethics, decorum and

comportment, and educational level. The study suggests that government should promulgate more

stringent laws to curb this social malaise and prosecute individuals and organisations that breach the law.

Sustained public enlightenment should be carried out by relevant government agencies, communities and

the people to create awareness on the inherent dangers of loud and uncontrolled music. Emphasis is on the

urgent need for urban renewal in the zoning, design and construction of residential buildings, particularly

in areas regarded as slums.