Dr. Stephen Awogbami, an environmental and public health scholar from College of Health Sciences and Technology Ijero-Ekiti who is currently making waves in the field of Environmental Health Science has uncovered alarming evidence that gold mining operations are significantly endangering public health in southwestern Nigeria.
This ground-breaking study — is now attracting attention from public health advocates, environmental policy makers, and developmental organizations across the continent.
In an interview, Dr. Awogbami stated that this research was initiated to examine the intersection between unregulated artisanal gold mining and its ripple effects on human health, particularly within vulnerable communities.
The findings, based on extensive field data from participants across mining-impacted local government areas in Osun State, provide strong empirical evidence that environmental degradation—ranging from polluted water sources to dust inhalation and noise pollution—is significantly correlated with adverse health conditions including joint pain (77.3%), malaria (73.0%), and general weakness (69.0%).
The study’s statistical analyses show that polluted water bodies, airborne particles, and noise-induced ground vibrations are major predictors of these health problems. For instance, the presence of suspended particles in local rivers was identified as the single strongest environmental factor (R = 0.354, p < 0.001) associated with deteriorating community health. Vulnerability was also higher among long-term residents and older individuals, suggesting a cumulative impact from prolonged exposure.
Beyond its scientific depth, Dr. Awogbami advocates for urgent public health interventions — ranging from enforcement of mining safety regulations to the provision of safe water and sanitation. It also aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning health, clean water, and sustainable land use.
This work is not just about data — it is a call to action. It places the health of marginalized Black communities at the centre of the environmental justice conversation and brings scientific clarity to a long-overlooked crisis.
As Nigeria and other African nations pursue economic development through natural resource extraction, Dr. Morufu Raimi an environmental expert from Federal University Otuoke Nigeria emphasised that the insights from this study serve as a crucial guide for balancing growth with human well-being.
He stated further that this research will catalyse stronger environmental policies and inspire further academic and policy-focused investigations into mining-related public health threats across sub-Saharan Africa.