Nigerian Government To Establish Air Quality Monitoring Stations Across Country

The Nigerian government has stated that it is ready to establish air quality monitoring stations throughout the country in order to generate a reliable database for sound policymaking aimed at ensuring clean air.

It also stated that it will ensure viable environmental management by deploying a mobile app that provides real-time Air Quality Indexes for all major cities in Nigeria.

Speaking over the weekend during this year’s International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, with the theme “Invest in Clean Air Now Join the National Campaign #BreatheEasyNigeria”
held in Abuja, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, stated that the day’s agenda includes reducing all forms of air pollution by 50% globally by 2030.

The minister stated that: “If we do not take action to reverse the current high level of air pollution in our country and around the world, the consequences for public health, our economy, the environment, and our survival will be far-reaching.”

He stated that: “According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), air pollution is estimated to cost the global economy 8.1 trillion USD per year, equivalent to 6.1% of global GDP due to increased healthcare costs.”

He revealed that the Ministry of Environment is actively engaging stakeholders in the development of the National Policy on Air Quality Management, as well as a Youth-led National Clean Air Programme that will collaborate with celebrities and high-net-worth individuals to serve as Clean Air Ambassadors.

He revealed that the National Clean Air Campaign #BreatheEasyNigeria is expected to be launched shortly.

Salako, noting that the day is intended to raise awareness at all levels about the importance of clean air for human and environmental health, productivity, and economic growth, stated: “Globally, there is a growing concern about air pollution and the threat poor air poses to our existence, with air pollution now regarded as the world’s single largest environmental health risk. It is estimated that 99% of the world’s population is breathing polluted air, which has serious consequences for everything we hold dear.”

He stated that air quality management challenges exist throughout the country, with human activities serving as the primary driver.

Salako said: To address the challenges, we must ensure that everyone is well-informed and committed to taking action to improve air quality. We rely on you, our media ally, to inform and raise awareness among Nigerians about the importance of clean air for our lungs. Guy McPherson, a well-known evolutionary biologist and environmentalist, said, “You can not count your money while holding your breath.”

He revealed that the Nigerian government is working to create a national framework to guide states in establishing vehicle and generator emissions testing centres in accordance with minimum standards developed by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

He stated, “We have launched a pilot scheme for Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Industrial Emission Monitoring Scheme (I.E.M.S) as a critical initiative to improve the capacity to effectively manage and mitigate industrial pollution across the country. We intend to launch the QA/QC IEMS on a national scale in the coming days.”

He did, however, note that Nigeria, as a country, faces significant air pollution challenges and was ranked as the third most polluted country in Africa by the 2021 World Air Quality Report. In 2023, the average PM2.5 concentration in Nigeria was 4.8 times the World Health Organization’s annual air quality guideline value.

“Like most parts of the world, vehicular emissions are the leading cause of air pollution, with the situation exacerbated in our country by the large number of old, second-hand, third-hand, and even several-hand automobiles on our roads. Other sources include industrial activities, illegal refining, gas flaring, refuse combustion, household cooking, and power generation.

Mr Ibrahim Kambari, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, was represented by Mrs Mariya Rufai, Director Human Resource Management in the Ministry, who stated that more awareness needs to be raised in society, particularly among the elderly, women, and children who are more vulnerable to air pollution.

He stated that air pollution is harmful to society because it causes numerous problems for individuals and society as a whole.

He stated that the meeting’s purpose is to deliberate and find long-term solutions to the country’s environmental challenges.

He stated, “As you are aware, clean air is extremely important all over the world because it is a great enabler of good health, a healthy environment, increased productivity, and a vibrant economy.”
“I think we should embark on a more and a wider sensitisation or enlightenment campaigns towards educating our people on the dangers and the effects of the consequences of air pollution in our society, all these chemicals pollution, soil and water contamination we have in our society are the causes of all these air pollution, and as long as we do not take measures to prevent these issues from occurring in our society, we will never have it funny. I think this forum is a good one to help us

Dr Yakubu Mohammed Baba, Registrar of the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, ECHON, stated that all agencies and departments within the Ministry must collaborate to address these challenges, while also acknowledging the critical importance of clean air to human health and the environment.

He stated: “Today’s event is also very appropriate because it will benefit our community, stimulate our economy, and improve the public health and well-being of our future generation. Let us all work together across all sectors to support the initiatives so that the issue of our air remains clean and equitable.”

The United Nations General Assembly established the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies in 2020 to “strengthen international cooperation in improving air quality and reducing air pollution.”