Industry leaders in environmental health and pest management have called for a national shift toward climate-responsive pest control strategies as Nigeria battles rising pest-borne diseases linked to changing weather patterns.
This message was delivered at a stakeholders’ technical session: “Building the Future of Pest Control in Nigeria: Adapting to Climate Change, Embracing Technology, and Promoting Professional Standards,” in Ikeja, Lagos.
National President of Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN), Olakunle Williams, said the programme—held with the association’s Annual General Meeting—was part of a global compliance framework and a deliberate effort to keep practitioners and policymakers aligned with emerging realities.
According to him, the conversation around climate change must reflect Nigeria’s local challenges rather than remain abstract or confined to conferences.
“It’s a mandatory programme for global pest control, and today also marks our AGM. What this event is about is sensitising the public, practitioners, and government so we can always stay one step ahead—one step at a time,” he said.
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“Climate change isn’t just about talk; it’s about examining our environment. We have rodents, mosquitoes, and malaria, which remain the biggest killer in Nigeria today.
PECAN is in the forefront of addressing these issues, partnering EHCN, LASEPA and other key environmental ministries.”
Williams stressed that the country must strengthen professional standards in pest control to reduce health risks and prevent avoidable environmental damage.
Also speaking, Lewis Gregory Adeyemi, Director, Chemical and Hazardous Materials Management Department, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), said Nigeria can no longer afford traditional approaches to environmental health.
He urged citizens, institutions, and practitioners to prioritise eco-friendly methods.
“All of us have a role to play in this era of climate change. We can’t keep doing things the same way,” Adeyemi said.
“We live in a dynamic environment. We must change the manner in which we operate. Everyone must imbibe green principles—use of solar, proper waste management, and environmentally friendly processes. It is imperative to adopt climate-friendly models.”
The session, held at the MAN Centre Complex, Ikeja, brought together regulators, environmental health authorities, pest control operators, and industry partners to examine risk management, sustainability frameworks, and the evolving nature of pest infestation patterns in Nigeria.