ON CLEAN AIR DAY: FG PLEDGES TO TACKLE AIR POLLUTION IN NIGERIA
The Federal Government has pledged stronger action to tackle air pollution and make clean air a central element of Nigeria’s development agenda.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, stated this in Abuja on Monday during the commemoration of the 2026 International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies with the theme: Clean Air, Healthy Choices: Acting Together for People and Planet`.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Salihu Aminu Usman, the Minister called for collective action to build a Nigeria where economic growth does not come at the expense of the air we breathe.
“Let us work together to build a Nigeria where cities are cleaner and healthier; where industries operate responsibly; where households have access to clean energy; and where our children inherit a healthier environment,” he said.
In a statement by Ibrahim Haruna, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry, Balarabe disclosed that air pollution remains one of the greatest environmental threats to human health globally, contributing to millions of premature deaths annually.
He added that in Nigeria, the challenge is worsened by rapid population growth, expanding urban centres, increasing transportation needs, industrial activities, energy demand, waste generation, agricultural practices and reliance on polluting fuels.
The Minister noted that air pollution also affects ecosystems, agricultural productivity, livelihoods and community resilience.
To mitigate the impact, the Minister disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Environment is working with relevant MDAs, sub-nationals, development partners and other stakeholders to improve air quality.
He added that the Ministry is deploying policy instruments, legislation, programmes and projects to regulate, enforce and promote minimum air quality standards across the country.
Balarabe reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing air-quality management and pollution reduction.
“Together, we can build a Nigeria where the skies remain blue, the air remains pure, and the future remains bright,” the Minister stated.
In her welcome address, the Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Mrs. Omotunde Adeola, said addressing air pollution requires coordinated action and strong partnerships across government, private sector, civil society, academia, communities and citizens.
She noted that sources of pollution include transportation, industrial activities, energy production, waste burning and household energy use.
Adeola added that the event was designed to reflect on the challenges, share knowledge and highlight practical solutions to improve air quality in Nigeria. She also said it would promote awareness on the Ministry’s efforts and the establishment of an early warning system to protect human health.
She appreciated UNIDO, Breathe Better and Ampak for supporting the programme.
UNIDO Representative, Reuben Bamidele on his part, commended the Ministry for bringing stakeholders together. “The environment belongs to all of us. How healthy we live is a function of the environment and human actions.” He said
Bamidele urged participants to promote clean air for environmental sustainability.
