VINCENT KURAUN explores the largely overlooked but far-reaching consequences of air pollution across Nigeria, as health experts call for decisive, coordinated intervention spanning tougher environmental enforcement, a transition to cleaner energy sources, smarter urban planning, and expanded public education.
EVERY one of Nigeria’s more than 200 million residents lives in an area where annual particulate pollution exceeds World Health Organisation (WHO) safety guidelines, according to the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI), produced by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute in the United States.
In other words, every breath taken in Nigeria is a breath of contaminated air.
This issue is not confined to specific cities or occasional poor air quality; it is pervasive throughout the country, continuously impacting the health and longevity of Nigerians. Despite its significance, this statistic has failed to capture media attention in the country.
The primary pollutant of concern is fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5. These tiny particles can evade the body’s defences, infiltrating deep into the lungs and entering the bloodstream, where they affect vital organs like the heart and brain.
The WHO recommends a safe long-term exposure limit of 5 micrograms per cubic metre; however, Nigeria’s national average is approximately 4.6 times higher, with certain regions like the Niger Delta experiencing even greater levels of pollution. The repercussions extend beyond health issues to a reduction in life expectancy.
A World Bank study, Cost of Air Pollution in Lagos, estimated that air pollution-related illnesses and premature deaths accounted for around 11,200 fatalities in Lagos within a single year, marking the highest rate in West Africa. Children under five were particularly affected, representing roughly 60 per cent of these deaths. The economic toll was also significant.
The sources of this pollution are deeply integrated into daily life in Nigerian cities, including congested traffic from ageing vehicles, diesel generators used during frequent power outages, and open burning of waste due to inadequate disposal systems.
Experts and researchers have identified vehicular emissions, industrial growth and unregulated waste burning as key contributors to the hazardous air quality in major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano.
In the oil-producing Niger Delta, the pollution profile is distinct. Years of gas flaring, oil extraction and informal refining processes have enveloped communities in soot and toxic fumes. This gradual industrial pollution contributes to the region’s ranking as one of the most polluted areas in Nigeria according to the AQLI.
Also, the Health Effects Institute’s State of Global Air project identifies air pollution as the third leading risk factor for premature deaths in Nigeria, following malnutrition and unsafe water. The data reveal that air pollution is responsible for 144 deaths per 100,000 people in Nigeria, significantly exceeding the global average.
Children disproportionately suffer from this crisis, as fine particulates can inflame developing lungs and are linked to respiratory infections and pneumonia, exacerbated by smoke from traditional cooking methods.
Pregnant women are also at increased risk; pollutants can cross the placenta, potentially leading to premature or low-birth-weight infants who face heightened respiratory health issues later in life.
Experts and researchers investigating maternal mortality in Nigeria have indicated that particulate pollution is a contributing factor in a country that, according to WHO data, represents a substantial proportion of global maternal deaths in recent years.
This raises an uncomfortable question: as a nation: Do we simply keep breathing without saying or doing anything? For a country already contending with malaria, maternal health and infectious disease, air pollution can feel like an abstract, invisible threat set against more immediate crises.
Dr. Charles Adedamola Adeogun, a public health advocate and medical practitioner, told Sunday Tribune that the air pollution in Nigeria has become the invisible killer the country can no longer ignore.
‘Every breath should sustain life, not threaten it,’ he said.
Yet for millions of Nigerians, the simple act of breathing has become an invisible health risk. While epidemics and infectious diseases often dominate headlines and command immediate government attention, air pollution continues to exact a devastating toll in silence, claiming lives prematurely, worsening chronic illnesses, and eroding the nation’s productivity.
‘It is no longer merely an environmental concern; it is a public health emergency, an economic burden, and a significant obstacle to Nigeria’s sustainable development,’ he said.
He pointed to a combination of factors driving the crisis: rapid urbanisation, industrial expansion, rising vehicular traffic, indiscriminate waste burning, open refuse dumps, the constant use of petrol and diesel-powered generators, gas flaring, quarrying, construction activity and continued reliance on biomass fuels such as firewood and charcoal.
‘In many communities, especially where electricity supply remains unreliable, generator fumes have become an unavoidable part of daily life. Equally concerning is the widespread exposure to indoor air pollution, where millions of women and children inhale toxic smoke generated from cooking with firewood, charcoal, and kerosene in poorly ventilated homes,’ he added.
The health implications, he said, are extensive and deeply troubling. ‘Microscopic pollutants including fine particulate matter and harmful gases penetrate deep into the respiratory system and bloodstream, triggering inflammation throughout the body.
‘The result is an increased incidence of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, and worsening diabetes.
‘Emerging scientific evidence also links prolonged exposure to air pollution with adverse pregnancy outcomes, impaired childhood lung development, reduced cognitive performance, neurodegenerative diseases, and certain mental health disorders. Children, pregnant women, older adults, and individuals living with chronic illnesses remain the most vulnerable,’ the medical personnel stated.
What this means for pregnant women
To understand the risks in more medical details, Sunday Tribune spoke with Dr. Olajumoke Ogunro, an obstetrician and gynaecologist currently working as a fertility specialist at The Alpha Assisted Reproductive Klinic (The Ark). She explained just how deeply air pollution can affect a pregnancy.
‘Air pollution affects everyone exposed to it. However it has the most severe impact on pregnant women, children, babies, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory problems,’ she stated.
This vulnerability, she explained, stems from the unique physiological demands of pregnancy. A pregnant woman’s body works harder to supply oxygen and nutrients not just to herself, but also to a developing foetus, and pollutants inhaled into her lungs can cross into the bloodstream and, ultimately, the placenta.
Experts believe this pathway drives many of the complications now being linked to poor air quality including preterm delivery, low birth weight, pre-eclampsia, and high blood pressure in pregnancy.
Additionally, there is evidence suggesting a correlation between air pollution and neurological issues, such as autism as well as tragic outcomes like stillbirth.
Timing matters, Dr Ogunro noted. ‘Prolonged exposure throughout pregnancy can worsen risks such as pre-eclampsia and high blood pressure, while exposure during the second trimester has been closely linked to an increased risk of preterm delivery.’
In contrast, exposure during the third trimester has been associated with low birth weight, stillbirth, and autism, emphasising the need for pregnant women to be vigilant about their environment throughout their pregnancy journey.
Given these alarming risks, Dr. Ogunro recommended several practical steps that expectant mothers can take to reduce their exposure to air pollution.
First, she stated that pregnant women should avoid polluted areas.
‘Pregnant women should steer clear of locations known for high levels of air pollution such as areas with heavy traffic, industrial emissions, or smoke from fires. Taking alternate routes during commutes or choosing parks away from busy roads can make a difference.’ she said.
Closely related to this is staying informed about the Air Quality Index (AQI). ‘Keeping track of local air quality can help pregnant women make informed decisions about when and where to go outside,’ she noted, adding that many apps and websites now provide real-time data on air quality levels, enabling mothers to plan their activities accordingly.
She also recommended investing in air purifiers. ‘Air purifiers can significantly improve indoor air quality by filtering out pollutants, allergens, and particulate matter,’ she explained. ‘Placing these devices in bedrooms and common areas can create a safer breathing environment for both mothers and their babies.’
Alongside this, she advised eliminating other indoor pollutants, particularly mold.
‘Mold is a common indoor air quality issue that can exacerbate respiratory problems,’ she said. ‘Expectant mothers should regularly check their homes for mold and take steps to eliminate it, ensuring a cleaner indoor environment.’
Finally, Dr. Ogunro suggested incorporating air-purifying plants into the home. Certain indoor plants, she noted, are known for their natural air-purifying properties, and adding them not only beautifies a living space but also contributes to improving overall air quality.
The economic burden
Beyond its devastating health effects, air pollution carries an enormous economic cost, according to Dr Adeogun.
‘Air pollution fuels rising healthcare expenditure, increased hospital admissions, frequent absenteeism from work and school, reduced labour productivity, disability, and premature mortality,’ he said.
‘Families are forced into catastrophic healthcare expenses, employers lose valuable workforce capacity, and the nation’s economic growth suffers. The true cost of polluted air cannot be measured solely by hospital bills; it is reflected in lost human potential, diminished quality of life, and preventable deaths that occur every single day,’ he said.
Indoor air pollution deserves urgent national attention, he stated, noting that for countless Nigerian households, particularly in rural and low-income communities, the kitchen has become one of the most hazardous environments.
‘Continuous exposure to smoke from biomass fuels significantly increases the risk of respiratory infections, chronic lung diseases, eye disorders, cardiovascular complications, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and premature death. Ensuring access to affordable, clean household energy should therefore be regarded as a strategic investment in public health rather than merely an energy policy,’ he added.
The way forward
‘Confronting this crisis requires bold leadership and coordinated action,’ said Dr Adeogun. ‘Governments at all levels must strengthen environmental legislation, enforce industrial emission standards without compromise, modernise air quality monitoring systems, and establish transparent public reporting mechanisms that allow citizens to know the quality of the air they breathe.
‘The longstanding challenge of gas flaring must be decisively addressed through strict regulatory enforcement, while industries should be encouraged to adopt cleaner technologies through innovation, incentives, and accountability.
‘Urban planning must equally embrace sustainability. Expanding efficient public transportation systems, improving road infrastructure, promoting cleaner vehicles, developing safe pedestrian walkways and cycling lanes, and preserving urban green spaces can substantially reduce harmful emissions.’
He noted that massive tree-planting initiatives and protection of existing forests will not only improve air quality but also strengthen Nigeria’s resilience against climate change.
‘Waste management reforms are equally indispensable.. The routine practice of open waste burning must give way to modern systems of waste segregation, recycling, composting, and environmentally responsible disposal.
‘Public enlightenment campaigns should empower communities to embrace cleaner environmental practices while regulatory agencies ensure strict compliance with sanitation laws.
‘Nigeria must also accelerate its transition towards renewable energy. Greater investment in solar, wind, and other clean energy technologies offers an opportunity to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, decrease generator emissions, improve energy security, stimulate innovation, and create sustainable employment.
‘Likewise, cleaner cooking alternatives including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), electricity, biogas, and improved cookstoves should be made affordable and accessible to households nationwide.
‘Healthcare professionals have responsibilities that extend beyond hospital walls. They must educate communities about the health consequences of air pollution, advocate for cleaner environments, support research, contribute to evidence-based policymaking, and champion preventive strategies.
‘Environmental health surveillance should become an integral component of Nigeria’s disease prevention framework because preventing exposure remains far more effective and considerably less expensive than treating its consequences.
‘Citizens, too, have a critical role to play. Avoiding indiscriminate waste burning, maintaining vehicles regularly, embracing cleaner cooking fuels where feasible, planting trees, reducing unnecessary generator use, supporting environmental sanitation initiatives, and holding industries and public institutions accountable for environmental compliance are practical actions that collectively can transform the quality of the air we breathe,’ he said..
According to him: ‘Environmental sustainability is no longer an optional aspiration; it is an indispensable prerequisite for national survival and prosperity. Clean air is not a luxury reserved for privileged communities but a fundamental human right that should be guaranteed to every Nigerian, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographical location.
‘Protecting our environment is ultimately synonymous with protecting our health, strengthening our economy, and safeguarding the future of generations yet unborn.
‘History will judge this generation not merely by the infrastructure it built, but by the environment it preserved. Nigeria possesses the scientific knowledge, professional expertise, technological capacity, and human resources necessary to reverse the growing menace of air pollution.
‘What remains indispensable is visionary leadership, unwavering political commitment, corporate responsibility, institutional accountability, and sustained citizen participation.
‘The air we breathe unites us all. Every breath matters. Every policy matters. Every tree planted, every emission reduced, every clean-energy investment, and every environmentally responsible decision brings Nigeria closer to becoming a healthier, safer, more resilient, and more prosperous nation. The invisible killer can be defeated but only if we act decisively, collectively, and without delay,’ he concluded.