A non-governmental organisation, One House Development Initiative (OHI), has called for the immediate removal of a telecommunications mast installed near Good Tidings School in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State, raising concerns over the safety of approximately 800 pupils, more than 90 staff members and residents of the surrounding community.
The organisation said the mast, reportedly installed by Pan African Towers, had remained at the disputed location despite a directive issued by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in January 2026, requiring the company to decommission the structure or meet stipulated environmental and safety requirements.
OHI disclosed that its investigation followed concerns raised by parents over the proximity of the telecommunications infrastructure to the school and the possible implications for the safety and well-being of children and staff.
According to the organisation, its team visited the school and surrounding environment and identified concerns relating to the location of the mast, particularly its compliance with regulations governing telecommunications infrastructure near educational institutions, residential buildings and water sources.
The group warned that the structure could pose safety concerns during heavy rainfall and windstorms, particularly if structural failure occurred. Such an incident, it argued, could expose pupils, teachers, other school employees and neighbouring residents to danger.
It also raised concerns about possible noise and air pollution from the machinery powering the telecommunications facility, saying the potential environmental effects required urgent attention because of the number of children and workers within the school environment.
The organisation said the school management had previously held meetings in an effort to resolve the matter and had formally notified the Local Inspector of Education in Egbedore Local Government Area. The education official reportedly visited the location and observed the issues raised concerning the installation.
OHI further disclosed that NESREA had written to Pan African Towers over the facility, directing the company to take corrective action.
In a letter dated January 28, 2026, with reference number NESREA/IEE/4527/T/11, addressed to the managing director of Pan African Towers, the environmental agency reportedly stated that the company had failed to provide an Environmental Impact Assessment Certificate or Environmental Impact Statement because the installation did not meet applicable guidelines.
The agency directed the company to decommission the mast immediately or acquire adjoining land to satisfy the minimum 10-metre setback requirement stipulated by relevant environmental regulations.
It also required the company to submit the necessary environmental documentation within 14 days of receiving the letter.
However, OHI said the mast was still standing as of October 29, 2026, approximately nine months after the agency’s directive.
The organisation argued that acquiring adjoining land to achieve the required setback was not a practical option because of the existing structures surrounding the facility. According to its account, school buildings and residential properties occupy the neighbouring areas to the east, west and south, while a government road borders the property to the north.
It therefore maintained that complete removal of the mast was the only acceptable solution, rejecting any arrangement that would allow the structure to remain at its current location.
The group said, “There is no practical space to achieve the required setback by acquiring adjoining land, given the existing school buildings, residential structures and the government road surrounding the property.”
It added that it remained willing to pursue an amicable resolution but would not support any arrangement that failed to address the concerns of the school community and residents.
OHI also referred to the National Environmental Regulations, 2011, published in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 38, Volume 98, Government Notice No. 124, which provides requirements for the siting of telecommunications facilities.
Under the regulations cited by the organisation, new telecommunications facilities are expected to be located primarily in industrial, commercial and business areas and maintain a minimum setback of 10 metres between the base of a mast and the perimeter fence of schools, hospitals and residential or business premises.
Where a school or other affected premises does not have a perimeter fence, the regulations prescribe a minimum distance of 12 metres between the building wall and the base of the mast.
The regulations also provide for a minimum setback of 15 metres between fossil-fuel-powered generators and existing surface water bodies or domestic water sources.
These requirements are intended to address environmental nuisance, protect public health and safety, and minimise potential risks associated with telecommunications and broadcasting infrastructure.
OHI maintained that the continued presence of the mast despite the reported regulatory directive raised questions about compliance and enforcement. It called on NESREA and other relevant authorities to ensure that the requirements were implemented and that the structure was removed.
The organisation stressed that the issue should be treated as a matter requiring urgent attention because of the vulnerability of schoolchildren and the responsibility of relevant institutions to provide a safe learning environment.
Efforts to obtain a response from Pan African Towers were reportedly unsuccessful as of the time the original report was published. Calls and text messages sent to the company were said to have received no response.
The development raises broader questions about the siting and regulation of telecommunications infrastructure around schools and other sensitive public facilities. As Nigeria continues to expand its telecommunications network, compliance with environmental standards and appropriate land-use requirements remains important in balancing digital infrastructure development with community safety.
For schools, the presence of infrastructure that raises unresolved environmental or safety concerns can create anxiety among parents, teachers and administrators. It also highlights the importance of effective coordination between education authorities, environmental regulators, telecommunications operators and host communities.
The immediate issue in Egbedore now centres on the implementation of the reported NESREA directive and the steps required to resolve the concerns raised by the school community.
