Two leading Nigerian environmental scientists, Raimi Morufu Olalekan and Stephen Olalekan Awogbami, have raised concern on the air quality in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria following a comprehensive scientific assessment of airborne pollutants and their health implications.
Their study, which was published in the Scientific Research and Impact Journal, represents one of the most detailed analyses of urban air pollution in North-Central Nigeria. The research evaluated levels of particulate matter (PM₂. ₅ and PM₁₀), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and combustible gases (LEL) across 24 locations in Ilorin metropolis.
According to Raimi, a seasoned environmentalist from Niger Delta University’s Department of Community Medicine, “Our findings show that while particulate matter levels were within national and WHO standards, the concentrations of volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde in some industrial zones exceeded acceptable thresholds. These pollutants pose serious respiratory and cardiovascular risks, especially for children, pregnant women, and the elderly.”
The study’s results revealed that VOCs and formaldehyde reached levels categorized as “very unhealthy” and “hazardous”, while oxygen levels in certain zones were lower than WHO recommendations. These conditions, the researchers warn, could aggravate asthma, heart disease, and lung cancer, and contribute to long-term neurodegenerative illnesses.
Stephen Awogbami, an environmental toxicologist from Ekiti State College of Health Sciences and Technology, stressed that “The interplay of industrial emissions and urban activities in Ilorin contributes to an unhealthy air quality index that requires urgent mitigation. Without proactive intervention, residents could face an increase in respiratory and non-communicable diseases.”
The research places Nigeria within the broader global context of air pollution challenges, aligning with OECD projections that air pollution may cause up to 9 million deaths annually by 2060. The scientists emphasized that Ilorin’s growing industrial activities, vehicular emissions, and lack of adequate air quality monitoring are major contributors to rising pollution levels.
Awogbami explained that poor air quality is not only an environmental concern but also a public health emergency, noting that “Reducing air pollution saves lives, improves pregnancy outcomes, and enhances community productivity.” He urged state and federal governments to invest in continuous air quality monitoring, renewable energy transition, and stricter industrial emission regulations.
The authors therefore call on the Kwara State Ministry of Environment to collaborate with national environmental agencies to establish a comprehensive Air Quality Management (AQM) framework for the region.
Furthermore, the scientists advocate for public awareness campaigns, particularly in vulnerable communities, to inform citizens about the health risks of prolonged exposure to polluted air. They suggest that schools, hospitals, and residential areas should be strategically located away from high-pollution zones.
The scientists concluded that while Ilorin’s current particulate levels may seem acceptable, the long-term cumulative exposure to industrial pollutants could result in severe health outcomes if not addressed. They called for multi-sectoral collaboration among government agencies, industries, and academia to safeguard public health and ensure environmental justice for all residents. In their words: “Clean air is a fundamental human right. Protecting it is protecting life itself.”