The federal ministry of environment is collaborating with other government ministries, departments, agencies as well as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and other key stakeholders to design the transition into the use of low-sulphur fuels in the country.
The minister of environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal who revealed this during the commemoration of the third international day of clean air for blue skies which was held in Abuja, also explained that the International Day was a day set aside for the United Nations to emphasise the importance of clean air.
Lawal said the event offered the ministry and its partners an important opportunity to reflect on the dangers of air pollution, renew dedication to sustainable practices as well as work collectively to ensure that present and future generations enjoy cleaner and healthier air.
The minister expressed concern that globally, air pollution is recognised as the leading environmental health risk that causes over seven million deaths annually, adding that it was more dangerous than malaria and HIV/AIDS. He lamented that Nigeria shares this burden of air pollution through cases like stroke, heart diseases, lung cancer, pneumonia, cataract, dementia and so many other diseases.
While emphasizing that the administration of President Tinubu was committed to promoting clean air by discouraging the importation of old vehicles and encouraging local manufacturing as well as advancing the adoption of alternative fuels such as CNG and LNG, the minister revealed that they were advancing policies that would protect children and youths.
“The federal ministry of environment is advancing a national policy on air quality management alongside the youth-led national clean air programme under the slogan #BreathEasyNigeria.
With support from the Pediatric Association of Nigeria, UNDP, Bhushan Energy and Environmental Services, we are raising awareness using credible data and engaging young people whose fragile lungs deserve protection. Today, the department of pollution control and environmental health is signing an MoU with the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria to extend clean air advocacy to all 774 local government areas,” he said.
While advising that citizens should commit to conscious choices that reduces air pollution especially in their daily activities at home, Lawal also charged the participants to keep in mind that the international day of clean air for blue skies is aimed at raising public awareness on the essential role of clean air in survival, productivity as well as growth and environmental sustainability.
In his introductory message, the permanent secretary in the ministry, Mahmud Adam Kambari, stated that the event symbolised Nigeria’s commitment to tackling air pollution through policy reforms, public sensitization, and the adoption of cleaner technologies.
He said the occasion would witness the official launch of the National Clean Air Programme and the unveiling of the #BreatheEasyNigeria Campaign which he explains is coinciding with the commemoration of International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, 2025.
