Environment

Air pollution: Nigeria must take immediate action to save lives – Expert

Published

6 years ago

June 6, 2019

The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDeVNet), a Civil Society Network Dr Ibrahim Choji has said that Nigeria must take immediate action on air pollution to save lives.

Choi made the call in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja to commemorate the 2019 World Environment Day, which was marked on June 5.

“The day is celebrated yearly as a day for encouraging international awareness and action to protect the environment.

“It presents a veritable opportunity to call upon the Nigerian government, industries, communities and individuals to take action to explore renewable energy and green technologies, improve air quality in cities and villages across Nigeria.

“This year’s theme: ‘Beating Air Pollution’ is apt as air pollution is a deadly, man-made problem and responsible for the early deaths of about seven million people every year, and about 600,000 are children.’’

He said that CSDevNet considered uncontaminated air, clean water, adequate sanitation and a non-toxic environment as core components of the right to healthy living, which the Nigerian constitution upholds.

“The right to a healthy environment is fundamental to human wellbeing and it must be nationally reaffirmed to ensure the enjoyment of this right by every Nigerian everywhere.

“The air quality in Nigeria is more likely to cause harm than the air in any other country in Africa as the country currently has the highest burden of fatalities from air pollution in the continent, and the fourth highest in the world.’’

According to him, the annual State of the Global Air Report published by the Health Effects Institute (HEI) reckons that air quality in Nigeria is among the deadliest anywhere on earth.

“It is higher than ambient air pollution death rates as a result of the environmental hazards combined with extreme pollution sources such as soot, gas flaring, generator fumes, vehicle emissions and crop burning among others.’’

Choji said that Nigeria was currently at a crossroad when it came to renewable energy and clean mobility.

“On the one hand, the country has one of the lowest on-grid energy consumption levels in the world, while on the other, the country is facing one of the fastest vehicle growth rates.

“It is grappling with mobility challenges in terms of congestion costs, air pollution and its impact on health, inadequate infrastructure and costs to the economy.

“The above leaves the country with no option than to take decisive actions capable of engendering a cleaner, more sustainable, low carbon emission pathway.

“If the Economic Growth and Recovery Plan (EGRP) of the government and the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement are to be realised.’’

To address these challenges and map out a cleaner pathway for Nigeria, CSDevNet therefore urged the Federal Government to take action on implement and enforce strictly.

“Government should also take action on the existing National Ambient Air Quality Standards, tax every form of pollution including vehicular, gas flaring, and bush burning.

“End fossil fuel subsidies and oil prospecting activities in northern Nigeria, and halt the seeming embrace of coal and nuclear sources for energy.’’

The CSO also suggested the creation of the required minimum enabling environment capable of supporting the shift to cleaner mobility and energy choices

“Advance the renewable energy agenda with emphasis on liberalising energy generation and transmission thereby boosting local manufacturing options.

“Stringently regulate the importation of used vehicles as a means for the country to quickly shift to cleaner mobility.

“Promote sustainable transport infrastructure by integrating cleaner mobility in national and state development strategies.’’

According to Choji, these measures will go a very long way in changing the dynamics of environmental degradation in Nigeria for the better.

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Environment

Royal Commonwealth Society Kicks Off Clean Oceans Campaign in Nigeria

Published

3 months ago

July 8, 2025

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Commonwealth Games Nigeria, has officially launched the Clean Oceans Plastic Awareness Campaign in Nigeria, aiming to combat the growing threat of plastic pollution across the Commonwealth.

The campaign was flagged off on Wednesday at Jabi Lake, Abuja, with a strong message of environmental responsibility, especially for Nigeria’s youth.

The initiative is designed to raise awareness about plastic pollution, encourage proper waste disposal, and promote environmental stewardship—particularly around the country’s waterways.
Speaking at the launch, the Country Director and CEO of the Royal Commonwealth Society Nigeria, Mr. Blackson Olaseni Bayewumi, emphasized that the campaign is part of a global Commonwealth-wide effort to curb plastic waste and protect ocean ecosystems.

He highlighted the critical role of sports as a tool for engaging young people and driving meaningful change in environmental behavior.

“The Commonwealth accounts for one-third of the world’s ocean waters, and nearly half of its member countries are Small Island Developing States that suffer disproportionately from plastic pollution,” Bayewumi noted.

According to him, the Royal Commonwealth Society’s Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign aims to prevent at least one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waterways.

The campaign blends grassroots education with direct community action, urging people to reduce their plastic footprint, embrace alternatives, and promote cleaner oceans.

A major component of the campaign is its integration with the King’s Baton Relay—a hallmark of the build-up to the Commonwealth Games. In a groundbreaking move, the 2025-2026 relay will spotlight sustainability and environmental protection, beginning with its launch by His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day 2025. The Baton Relay is now on a 500-day journey across all Commonwealth nations and territories ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

In each country, including Nigeria, the Baton Relay will bring together youth, athletes, local communities, and environmental groups for a week of activities—most notably, organized plastic clean-up drives.

The urgency of this campaign is underlined by alarming statistics: the world produces 400 million tonnes of plastic every year, with over 12 million tonnes ending up in the oceans.
Without urgent action, scientists predict that by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the sea.

Plastic waste poses a deadly threat to marine life—suffocating birds, fish, and mammals while damaging key ecosystems.

Moreover, as plastics break down into microplastics due to ocean erosion and sunlight, they enter our food, water, and even air.

Although the full health implications of microplastics remain unknown, early research suggests they may disrupt vital bodily functions—and there is currently no method to fully remove them from the environment or our bodies.
The campaign supports multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

SDG 12: Responsible, Consumption and ProductionSDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 14: Life Below Water

It also reflects the core principles of the Commonwealth Charter, especially: Article 9: Sustainable Development. Article 10: Protection of the Environment and Article 14: Recognition of the Needs of Small States

As the world grapples with escalating environmental challenges, the Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign represents a significant step in uniting nations, communities, and young leaders under a shared mission: to protect our oceans, preserve biodiversity, and build a cleaner, safer world for future generations.

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