The Anambra State Government has warned churches in Onitsha to keep noise down during school hours because loud noise from services is disrupting teaching and learning, officials said on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

The warning came after a private school wrote a letter of complaint to the Ministry of Education, saying that noise from a nearby church, Divine Dominion Prophetic Ministry, was interfering with classes. The church is just across the road from the school.

The school’s proprietress, Mrs. Ngozi Udeh, said the noise was especially loud on Tuesdays between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., making it hard for students and teachers to concentrate. She said several earlier appeals to the church leaders had not worked.

Professor Ngozi Chuma‑Udeh, the Commissioner for Education, said the state government respects freedom of worship but students also have a right to learn in a quiet place.

She told both the school and the church to work together so worship and lessons do not disturb each other.

Prof. Chuma‑Udeh said school time is important and should be protected, and that noise from religious activities must not block students from concentrating. She asked the church to plan its activities so they do not clash with school classes.

Officials said noise that interferes with learning can be an offence under Nigerian law, and they encouraged religious groups near schools to keep sound at a level that does not disturb teaching.

The education commissioner also urged the church to find peaceful ways to coexist with the school, noting that the school was already in the area before the church was built.

Church leaders at the meeting said they would work with the school to make sure worship does not disrupt lessons, and that both sides would cooperate for peaceful coexistence.

Next steps: Education and community leaders said they will continue to monitor noise levels near schools and work with religious groups to protect students’ learning environment.