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Tag: Air Pollution

  • Air pollution causes seven million deaths annually – Minister

    Air pollution causes seven million deaths annually – Minister

    Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has revealed that air pollution claims about seven million lives annually, more than malaria and HIV combined, making it the world’s leading environmental health risk.

    Speaking in Abuja at the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, Lawal said Nigeria shares heavily in this burden, with air pollution linked to stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, pneumonia, cataracts, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.

    He explained that the commemoration serves as a call to action for all stakeholders to commit to sustainable practices and ensure cleaner, safer air for present and future generations.

    According to him, “The government is addressing air pollution by discouraging the importation of old vehicles, supporting locally manufactured alternatives, promoting compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG), and backing electric vehicles. Efficient mass transport systems, rail, and waterways are also being prioritized, with a gradual transition to hydrogen and electric mobility planned.

    Read Also: Experts seek stronger regional partnerships to tackle air pollution in African cities

    “The cost of inaction remains severe, with devastating impacts on health, ecosystems, and economies,” Lawal warned, identifying bush burning, vehicular emissions, and gas flaring as Nigeria’s major contributors to poor air quality.

    He disclosed that the government has approved a Green Hydrogen Project in partnership with UNIDO, while also developing a framework for States to set up Vehicular Emissions Testing Centres. 

    The ministry is further advancing a National Policy on Air Quality Management alongside a youth-led National Clean Air Programme under the slogan #BreatheEasyNigeria.

    Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mahmud Adam Kambari, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling air pollution through policy reforms, public awareness campaigns, and the adoption of cleaner technologies, stressing that the National Clean Air Programme represents a coordinated framework to safeguard public health and align Nigeria with global best practices.

  • Experts seek stronger regional partnerships to tackle air pollution in African cities

    Experts seek stronger regional partnerships to tackle air pollution in African cities

    Clean air experts and environmental stakeholders have called for stronger cross-border collaborations and transdisciplinary partnerships to combat the growing air pollution crisis in African cities.

    Speaking at the 2025 CLEAN-Air Forum in Nairobi, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), highlighted Africa’s increasing commitment to air quality improvement through policy reforms and regional initiatives.

    “In Nigeria, we are seeing significant progress with policies supporting open-data sharing, especially at the state level, where agencies are encouraged to publish air quality data,” Dr. Ajayi said. He added that agreements between African governments and academic institutions are driving research and practical interventions to improve urban air quality.

    He also emphasized the need for increased investment in clean air initiatives, local manufacturing, and targeted pollution control strategies.

    Echoing the call, Dr. Alice Kaudia of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition urged governments to prioritise air pollution in their national agendas, advocating for youth involvement, tech innovation, and public awareness campaigns.

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    “Youths can harness artificial intelligence and digital tools to monitor and mitigate pollution,” she said, adding that access to funding and resources would empower their participation.

    Dr. Kaudia cited the Integrated Assessment on Air Pollution and Climate Change for Sustainable Development in Africa, which shows that mitigation strategies across sectors like transport, agriculture, waste, and household energy could dramatically cut harmful emissions such as PM2.5, black carbon, and methane. 

    “These efforts can prevent hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, enhance food security, and reduce climate impacts,” she noted.

    With over 35 countries represented, this year’s forum—held under the theme “Partnerships for Clean Air Solutions”—underscored the importance of scientific collaboration, technological innovation, and shared policy frameworks to address air pollution on the continent.

    The summit also spotlighted the use of emerging technologies like remote sensing, low-cost air sensors, and AI in closing air quality data gaps and enabling smarter, more effective responses.

  • Tackling the scourge of air pollution

    Sir: Passing through Ile-Epo bus stop, just after Katangua (Super bus stop), along the Abeokuta-Lagos expressway in Lagos, one cannot but perceive the unbearable stench oozing out from the stagnant water in the drainage channels, particularly in front of the market area where food items are being sold. While some people say the disturbing smell is from the neighbouring dumpsite, Katangua, which houses heaps of refuse in that area, others say it is due to the blocked drainage channels.

    The contaminated and polluted air around that area became visibly worse due to the rains lately. Everywhere becomes flooded anytime there is heavy downpour. The toxic smell in that area becomes a source of worry and concern not only for the passers-by, but also for those who buy and sell at the Ile-Epo market given the health challenge and risk this can potentially pose.

    The quality of air around that area is so bad that one can literally begin to feel that every breath taken is choking life out of one.

    According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in Lagos, many people died from diseases related to indoor and outdoor air pollution in 2012. Also Onitsha, Kaduna, Aba, Umuahia were among four of the 20 African cities with worst quality of air in the world according to a 2016 WHO report.

    In a recent publication on an annual State of Global Air Report published by the Health Effects Institutes (HEI), air quality in Nigeria and at least 10 other countries is among the deadliest anywhere on earth with higher than ambient air pollution death rates as a result of the environmental hazards combined with extreme pollution sources like generator fumes, vehicle emissions and crop burning among others. The HEI chart reveals that the air we breathe in Nigeria is the deadliest in Africa and the fourth deadliest globally with 150 deaths per 100,000 people attributable to pollution. Only Afghanistan with 406; Pakistan, 207, and India, 195 deaths per 100,000 people per country exceed the Nigerian figure.

    The reason for these staggering figures of deaths due to air pollution in Nigeria is not farfetched as most Nigerians are daily exposed to polluted air indoor and outdoor. A huge volume of deadly thick smoke is visibly seen escaping from the exhaust pipes of poorly-tuned engines of most vehicles on our roads which in turn makes the air toxic. Worn-out generators are also not left out as they belch out smoky fumes of noxious emissions thereby polluting the air. Indiscriminate refuse dumping on roads and at illegal dumpsites also contributes to air pollution.

    Air pollution from indoor sources is the single largest contributor to the negative health effects of polluted air in Nigeria. A kerosene stove which burns with sooty flames, smoke emitted from burning of refuse wastes and unwanted materials within the neighbourhood and lack of proper ventilation all lead to high concentrations of particulate matter (hazardous solid and liquid particles suspended in air) and other pollutants in the home.

    Air pollution is now the fourth-highest cause of death worldwide, with smoking, high blood pressure and poor diet topping the list. In Nigeria, air pollution is hardly listed among causes of deaths on death certificates, yet the effects of air pollution exposure such as lung cancer and other diseases are fatal and deadly. Air pollution is also known to cause heart and respiratory diseases, and damage to people’s nerves, brain, kidneys, liver and other vital organs.

    To curb the rising threat of air pollution, a WHO Director, Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health, Dr Maria Neira said: “Most sources of urban outdoor air pollution are well beyond the control of individuals and demand actions by cities, as well as national and international policymakers to promote cleaner transport, more efficient energy production and waste management.”

    Ministries of Health, Environment and Agriculture are all urged to make air quality a health and development priority. For the rural dwellers, we advise that there should be an increased public awareness on the deadly consequences of polluted air in the household or outdoor. When the quality of air in Nigeria improves, health expenses incurred on air pollution-related diseases drop drastically and more lives are saved as life expectancy grows.

    • Kayode Ojewale, Idimu, Lagos.

  • Tackle air pollution, Fed Govt told

    THE African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), a non-governmental organisation, has urged the Federal Government to address the rising menace of air pollution.

    In a statement, its Senior Programme Officer, Amodu Lawal, said: “Air is critical to human existence as without it, there can be no life. Yet, a polluted air has the capacity to unveil numerous health problems, including respiratory diseases that have led to loss of several lives even in Nigeria.’’

    He noted that air pollution constitutes lead in  environmental risks estimated to have resulted to seven million deaths globally.

    He said Nigeria ranks fourth deadliest globally with 150 deaths per 100,000 attributed to air pollution.

    Lawal said air pollution is common in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta, where gas flaring is prevalent.

    The statement also noted that a  report on gas flaring has shown a considerable increase despite government’s determination to reduce the danger.

    He said: “Air pollution is a big concern the world over. The respective peoples of the world, including Nigerians, can’t stop breathing due to the rampaging advent of air pollution and therefore it behoves on all stakeholders, governments, oil companies, communities and civil society organisations to work to reverse the phenomenon. This will, no doubt, help to improve our air quality and better impact on the lives of the peoples of the world.”

    This year’s World Environment Day held with the theme, ‘Beat air pollution’, urged people to explore renewable energy and green technologies and improve air quality in cities and regions.

    Spearheaded by China, the host of the World Environment Day celebrations, United nations (UN) Environment’s campaign theme was #BeatAirPollution. It culminated into many registered events and commitments.

    “Protecting our blue skies may be difficult, but our future relies on it,”  UN Environment Acting Executive Director,, Joyce Msuya, said during the global celebrations in Hangzhou.

    “And they are our blue skies. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Beijing or Beirut, when we look up we see the same sky. And I think when we look to China, we see many examples of how to protect it.”

    Over the past decade, the Chinese government has taken drastic measures to limit air pollution in its biggest cities, bringing back blue skies in Beijing, Shanghai and other megacities, benefitting the health of millions.

    President, People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, said: “Humankind only has one planet. Environmental conservation and sustainable development are the common responsibility of all countries. Ecological civilisation is built into China’s national development architecture and strategy. China will work with any and all to implement the 2030 agenda to protect our only planet.’’

    “Today, we face an equally urgent crisis. It is time to act decisively,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in his message to the World Environment Day.

    “My message to governments is clear: tax pollution; end fossil fuel subsidies; and stop building new coal plants. We need a green economy not a grey economy.”

    According to him, air pollution goes to the heart of social justice and global inequality.

  • WHO releases estimates on air pollution exposure and health impact

    A new World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality model has confirmed that 92 per cent of the globe’s population lives in places where air quality levels exceed WHO limits.

    “The new WHO model  shows  countries where the air pollution danger spots are, and provides a baseline for monitoring progress in combatting it,” said Dr. Flavia Bustreo, Assistant Director General at WHO.

    The report also represented the most detailed outdoor air pollution-related health data, by country, ever reported by WHO. The model is based on data derived from satellite measurements, air transport models and ground station monitors for more than 3000 locations, both rural and urban. It was developed by WHO in collaboration with the University of Bath, United Kingdom (UK).

    Air pollution’s toll on human health

    Some three million deaths a year are linked to exposure to outdoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution can be deadly. In 2012, an estimated 6.5 million deaths (11.6 per cent of all global deaths) were associated with indoor and outdoor air pollution. The report also revealed that nearly 90 per cent of air-pollution-related deaths occured in low- and middle-income countries, with nearly two out of three occurring in WHO’s South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions.

    It further said 94 per cent of deaths are due to non-communicable diseases – notably cardiovascular diseases, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. Air pollution also increases the risks for acute respiratory infections.

    “Air pollution continues to take a toll on the health of the most vulnerable populations – women, children and the older adults,” added Dr Bustreo. “For people to be healthy, they must breathe clean air from their first breath to their last.”

    Major sources of air pollution include inefficient modes of transport, household fuel and waste burning, coal-fired power plants, and industrial activities. However, not all air pollution originates from human activity. For example, air quality can also be influenced by dust storms, particularly in regions close to deserts.

    Improved air pollution data

    The WHO model has carefully calibrated data from satellite and ground stations to maximise reliability. National air pollution exposures were analysed against population and air pollution levels at a grid resolution of about 10 km x 10 km.

    “This new model is a big step forward towards even more confident estimates of the huge global burden of more than six million deaths – one in nine of total global deaths – from exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution,” said Dr. Maria Neira, WHO Director, Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health. He added that more and more cities are monitoring air pollution now, with satellite data more comprehensive, and the WHO getting better at refining the related health estimates.

     

  • NESREA ready to tackle air pollution

    NESREA ready to tackle air pollution

    The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement said it has begun plans to reduce air pollution from vehicles by setting up operational guidelines for vehicular testing centers.

    The agency said it will set up three testing centers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as a pilot before extending it to other states.

    NESREA also said it is committed to enforcing a sustainable environmental campaign that will keep the air clean.

    The Director – General of the agency, Dr. Benebo Ngeri said this in Abuja at the stakeholders meeting on National Vehicular Emission Control Programme (NVECP) in Nigeria.

    Mrs. Ngeri said the move will prevent citizens from air pollution which poses major health risk.

    She said: “Despite its numerous benefits, automobiles have continued to be a major source of air pollution. There has been a rapid increase of cars on our roads and the problem of pollution has increased exponentially along with the growth in the number of cars.

    “In Nigeria, vehicular emissions have been more intense by the increasing number of old and poorly maintained vehicles. About 10 million vehicles and 3 million motorcycles ply our roads with a greater number concentrated in the urban centers. For instance, about 1.2 million vehicles ply the FCT.”

    According to her, reducing vehicular emission is a key to tackling air pollution.

  • Five dead in Ijaw community as group seeks relocation of flared gas

    The inhabitants of Gelegele, in Ovia North East local Government Area of Edo State, a riverine oil and gas community have cried out to the federal government to urgently come to their aid by relocating the gas flaring coming from the operation of Dubril Oil from the community, just as they called for the commencement of work on the Gelegele Seaport.

    They claimed that five lives of their kinsmen have been lost and many others suffering different ailment owing to the environmental hazards they are exposed daily in the community.

    It would be recalled that in spite of federal government assurance that gas flaring by multinational-national Oil and Gas Companies operating in the Niger Delta region will end by 31st December, 2013, the situation still persisted in the Edo Oil and Gas Community of Gelegele.

    However, in a swift reaction, an official of the Company who do not want his name in print when contacted on telephone absolved the company of the allegations raised.

    He said “We don’t have any problem with Gelegele community; I just left the community myself. What they are talking about don’t have anything to do with us

    Speaking on behalf of the Community, Comrade Joseph Gbale, at a briefing under the umbrella of Ijaw Youth of Edo State, (IYES), also seek the appointment of an Ijaw person on the board of Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Area Development Commission, (EDSOGPADEC) and lamented that “we have not produce any member since inception of the commission as our community remain the reason why Ovia North East is considered an Oil Producing local government area.

    Gbale stated “the state and federal government should as a matter of urgent national importance prevail on Dubril Oil to relocate the flaring of gas from the heart of Gelegele community as several lives have been lost. These are names of those that died Mr Ibote Ossia, Mr Aladin Iyefabiri, Mr Anthony Adeyemi, Mr Roland Ofunama and Aboy Donyegha.

    “The federal government should immediately commence work on the Gelegele Seaport as this will bring development and business opportunity to Edo people as well as job creation to our teeming unemployed youths.

    They further added “ we want to use this medium to assure Mr President who is our father and the father of the Ijaw Nation of our continuing support and to prevail on him to support the Governor of Edo State and commitment in addressing the Ijaw people problems in the state.

  • Air pollution: Causing one in eight deaths

    Air pollution: Causing one in eight deaths

    Air pollution has long been known to cause heart and lung diseases, but new evidence published by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests it has become the single biggest environmental health risk. This equates to one in eight of total deaths or about 7 million deaths each year.

    The new finding more than doubles previous estimates and demonstrates how reducing indoor and outdoor pollution could save millions of lives in future, the United Nations health agency said.

    In particular, the new data revealed a strong link between fumes from indoor stoves and high mortality rates. Approximately 61 per cent of air pollution-related deaths in 2012 occurred in households that cooked over coal, wood and biomass stoves.

    WHO also noted that many people are exposed to both indoor and outdoor air pollution simultaneously. Outdoor air pollution from urban and rural sources resulted in approximately 3.7 million deaths in 2012.

    The main sources of outdoor air pollution were found to be from industries such as power stations, emissions from agriculture, and burning rubbish. Fossil fuel emissions from cars and trucks have also skyrocketed in recent years with rapid urbanization and the increased reliance on motorized transport of people and goods.

    Last year, WHO’s cancer agency classified air pollution as a carcinogen – placing it in the same category as tobacco smoke, UV radiation and plutonium. In the new report, WHO noted that women and children were at the highest risk of being exposed to carcinogenic air pollution.

    “Poor women and children pay a heavy price from indoor air pollution since they spend more time at home breathing in smoke and soot from leaky coal and wood cook stoves,” described Dr Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director-General Family, Women and Children’s Health.

    Air pollution allows tiny particles to get deep into the lungs and cause inflammation. Scientists suspect this inflammation is to blame for the increasing rates of noncommunicable diseases such as strokes and ischaemic heart disease, cancer, as well as acute respiratory infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.

    “The risks from air pollution are now far greater than previously thought or understood, particularly for heart disease and strokes,” says Dr Maria Neira, Director of WHO’s Department for Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health.

    “Few risks have a greater impact on global health today than air pollution; the evidence signals the need for concerted action to clean up the air we all breathe.”

    Cleaning up the air that we breath is not a simple task. It is estimated that 2.9 billion people live in homes using wood, coal or dung as their primary cooking fuel.

    “Excessive air pollution is often a by-product of unsustainable policies in sectors such as transport, energy, waste management and industry. In most cases, healthier strategies will also be more economical in the long term due to health-care cost savings as well as climate gains,” says Dr Carlos Dora, WHO Coordinator for Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health.

    Urbanisation and rapidly growing cities has also increased exposure to air pollution and other poor-lifestyle related habits. Poor-lifestyle habits such inadequate diet, being physically inactive, excessive stress, and consuming substances of abuse such as alcohol and tobacco have multiplied the effects of air pollution in urban centres.

    Poverty – a key determinant of health – is also growing faster in urban areas. Urban slums are typically overcrowded, polluted and dangerous, and lack basic services such as clean water and sanitation.

    To help address this significant problem, WHO is expected to release indoor air quality guidelines on household fuel combustion as well as country data on outdoor and indoor air pollution exposures and related mortality.

     

    Couillard is an international health columnist that works in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s goals of disease prevention and control. Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement. You can reach him through; Facebook: Dr Cory Couillard and Twitter: DrCoryCouillard