The Federal Government has declared a public health emergency in response to a sharp increase in respiratory, cardiovascular, and other environment-related diseases across Nigeria, driven largely by rising greenhouse gas emissions.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, issued the warning on Monday in Abuja during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON). Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Kambari, Lawal stated that environmental surveillance and health data show a troubling rise in illnesses tied to air pollution.
“What we are facing today is no longer solely an environmental issue but a public health emergency,” Lawal said. He noted that the health burden from pollution is outpacing the capacity of the country’s healthcare system, leading to higher medical costs for families and reduced national productivity.
In response, the government has activated the National Emergency Response Initiative on Environmental Public Health Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (NERI-EPHIGGE). The initiative aims to deliver coordinated interventions including:
* Strengthened environmental health regulations
* Nationwide surveillance units
* Promotion of cleaner energy and sustainable industrial practices
* Transition to low-emission transport
* Public awareness campaigns
Lawal emphasized that the situation is worsened by rapid urbanization, industrial expansion, and increased transportation activity, which have elevated pollutant levels.
“The cost of inaction is greater than the cost of intervention. The science is clear, the health evidence is undeniable, the risks are immediate, and the time to act is now,” he stated.
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