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Danger Ahead: OAU Professor Raises Concerns Over Nigeria’s Air Quality Data Gap
Eko Hot Blog Professor Jacob Sonibare of Obafemi Awolowo University has expressed concern over the lack of comprehensive air quality data in Nigeria, stating it “portends great danger for the country.”
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In his inaugural lecture titled “Air Pollution Control Lacuna in Nigeria: The Intervention of a Chemical Engineer,” Prof. Sonibare lamented the unavailability of data has made it impossible to conclusively determine the air quality status in Nigeria.
“I have no sufficient data to make pronouncement about the country’s present air quality status. Thus one is not surprised that since we have no data to conveniently classify Nigeria’s air quality status, there is dearth of data also in the literature, both in quality and quantity, that can be used to do the same without misleading the public,” Prof. Sonibare remarked.
He suggested the federal government needs to commission national air quality campaigns to generate reliable air quality data regularly for Nigeria to continue participation in achieving sustainable development goals.
Prof. Sonibare noted air pollution can originate from natural or human activities indoors or outdoors, causing environmental and health damage.
To address the issue, he proposed establishing a body to integrate and regulate existing illegal oil refineries, standardize ambient air quality and emissions levels nationally, and create an air quality monitoring program to build a national air quality database.
Experts have warned poor air quality is a silent killer contributing to diseases like stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory infections. Lacking definitive data, Nigeria remains unaware of the true impact of air pollution across states.
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Prof. Sonibare’s call highlights the urgent need for standardized air quality measurement to safeguard public health and the environment.
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