The Federal Ministry of Environment is actively partnering with various government ministries, agencies, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, alongside other vital stakeholders, to facilitate Nigeria’s shift towards the adoption of low-sulphur fuels nationwide.
During the observance of the Third International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies in Abuja, Environment Minister Balarabe Abbas Lawal highlighted that this day, established by the United Nations, underscores the critical importance of maintaining clean air for all.
Minister Lawal noted that the occasion provides a valuable platform for the ministry and its collaborators to assess the severe impacts of air pollution, reaffirm their commitment to sustainable environmental practices, and unite efforts to secure cleaner, healthier air for both current and future generations.
Expressing deep concern, the minister pointed out that air pollution is globally acknowledged as the foremost environmental health hazard, responsible for over seven million deaths each year.
He further emphasized that air pollution poses a greater threat than diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS, lamenting that Nigeria bears a significant share of this burden through illnesses including stroke, cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, pneumonia, cataracts, dementia, and numerous other health conditions.
Highlighting the dedication of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to fostering cleaner air, Lawal mentioned efforts to curb the importation of aged vehicles, promote domestic manufacturing, and encourage the use of alternative fuels like compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). He also revealed ongoing policy initiatives aimed at safeguarding the health of children and young people.
“The Federal Ministry of Environment is advancing a comprehensive national Air Quality Management policy, complemented by the Youth-led National Clean Air Programme under the banner #BreatheEasyNigeria,” the minister stated.
“In collaboration with the Paediatric Association of Nigeria, UNDP, Bhushan Energy, and Environmental Services, we are driving awareness campaigns grounded in reliable data, actively engaging youth whose vulnerable respiratory systems require protection.”
Lawal urged citizens to adopt mindful behaviors that minimize air pollution in their everyday routines, emphasizing that the international day serves to elevate public understanding of clean air’s vital role in health, productivity, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
In his opening remarks, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Adam Kambari, affirmed that the event reflects Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to combating air pollution through policy innovation, public education, and embracing cleaner technologies.
Kambari announced the official launch of the National Clean Air Programme alongside the introduction of the #BreatheEasyNigeria Campaign during the event.
“Today marks a milestone as we unveil pioneering solutions that empower every Nigerian to participate in our fight against air pollution. United, we can overcome this invisible threat. Let us join forces and breathe easier,” Kambari concluded.
