Int’l Day of Clean Air: FG pledges Continued Commitment to cleaner, healthier environment
As Nigeria joins the world to commemorate the International Day of Clean Air, the Federal Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to ensuring clean, safe, and healthy air under truly blue skies.
At this year’s commemoration in Abuja, Environment Minister, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal emphasized the dangers of air pollution, urging Nigerians to recommit to sustainable practices and collective action so as to ensure cleaner, safer, and healthier air for current and future generations.
He noted that air pollution is globally recognized as the leading environmental health risk, responsible for over seven million deaths annually – a staggering figure that surpasses the combined toll of malaria and HIV/AIDS, affecting vulnerable populations including adults, pregnant women, infants, and even unborn children.
“Nigeria shares this burden, as air pollution is linked to stroke, heart disease, COPD, lung cancer, pneumonia, cataracts, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease,” the Minister said.
Lawal emphasized that “the cost of global inaction remains severe, with devastating impacts on health, ecosystems, and economies.” He noted that in Nigeria, major contributors to pollution include bush burning, vehicular emissions, gas flaring, and venting, which have negative effects on both human health and ecosystems.
According to him, to address vehicular emissions, a major contributor to air pollution, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration is taking a multi-faceted approach, including discouraging the importation of old vehicles, promoting local manufacturing, and encouraging the adoption of alternative fuels like CNG and LNG. Additionally, the administration is developing a framework for states to establish vehicular emissions testing centers, aligning with global best practices.
Lawal added that the Ministry is also advancing a National Agenda on Air Quality Management, alongside the youth-led National Clean Air Programme under the slogan #BreatheEasyNigeria.
He emphasized that the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies aims to raise public awareness about the critical role of clean air in survival, productivity, economic growth, and environmental sustainability, with a global goal to reduce all forms of air pollution by 50% by 2030.”
“Let’s commit to making conscious choices that reduce air pollution, especially in our daily activities at home, such as cooking”, Lawal concluded
In his opening remarks, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Kambari, highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to tackling air pollution through policy reforms, public sensitization, and the adoption of cleaner technologies.
He cited the National Clean Air Programme as a coordinated framework to protect the environment, safeguard public health, and align with global best practices
Represented by Engr. Dr. (Mrs) Bahijjahtu Abubakar, Director, Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Kambari commended development partners, civil society, and the private sector for their support in ensuring safe and clear air in the country.
Highlights of the day include the Official Launch of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Installation of Air Quality Monitoring Devices as well as the Signing of MoU between the Department of Pollution Control and Environmental Health Council of Nigeria to extend clean air advocacy to all 774 LGAs in the country
