The Nigerian federal government has declared a public health emergency in response to the rising burden of diseases linked to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
Speaking at a stakeholder meeting organised by the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) in Abuja, Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment, said environmental surveillance and health data show a worrying increase in illnesses caused by pollution and poor air quality.
“What we are facing today is no longer solely an environmental issue but a public health emergency,” Lawal said. “The burden of disease associated with poor environmental quality is increasing faster than our health system can accommodate.”
The minister explained that families are spending more on healthcare, workforce productivity is declining, and environmental degradation is undermining national development goals. He noted that the lack of a coordinated framework to manage health risks from greenhouse gases has worsened the situation.
In response, the government has launched the National Emergency Response Initiative on Environmental Public Health Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (NERI-EPHIGGE). The initiative aims to strengthen environmental health monitoring, promote cleaner energy and low-emission transport, enforce sustainable industrial practices, and raise public awareness about the risks of pollution.
Lawal called for a collective effort from government agencies, regulators, and industry to tackle the crisis.
“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 said.
