The Federal Government has raised an alarm over a sharp increase in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases across Nigeria, directly linking the trend to rising greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, issued the warning during a stakeholder meeting in Abuja focused on the national response to environment-related diseases. Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mahmud Kambari, Lawal stated that environmental surveillance and health data show “an alarming rate” of illnesses tied to air quality and emissions.
“The issue has moved beyond environmental concerns to become a full-scale public health emergency,” he emphasized.
Lawal noted that the health burden from pollution is outpacing the capacity of the country’s health system, leading to increased medical costs for families and reduced productivity. He further explained that environmental degradation driven by emissions is straining public health infrastructure and hindering national development.
The minister called for a stronger coordinated framework and greater collaboration among stakeholders to tackle the health risks associated with greenhouse gas emissions.
The forum was convened by the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) to develop strategies for responding to the growing challenge of emission-related diseases.
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