- Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako reveals air pollution causes 8.1 million premature deaths annually, emphasizing its link to serious health issues
- The Minister outlines plans to reduce air pollutants by 50% globally by 2030, addressing Nigeria’s significant air pollution challenges
Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Environment, has revealed that air pollution is the second leading risk factor for premature deaths globally, causing approximately 8.1 million deaths yearly. This figure, he noted, is higher than the combined deaths from malaria and HIV.
Dr. Salako made this statement during an event in Abuja to mark the second International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies. He emphasized that air pollution is not only linked to diseases such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and acute respiratory infections but also directly associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
He expressed growing global concern about air pollution and its threat to human life. “Beyond its direct impact on health, air pollution from greenhouse gases, Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs), and black carbon are central to global warming, which drives climate change, natural disasters, food insecurity, economic losses, migration, and security challenges,” Dr Salako explained.
The minister outlined an ambitious agenda to reduce all air pollutants by 50% globally by 2030. He pointed out that Nigeria faces significant air pollution challenges and was ranked the third most polluted country in Africa according to the 2021 World Air Quality Report.
“In 2023, Nigeria’s average PM2.5 concentration was 4.8 times higher than the World Health Organization’s annual air quality guideline. Vehicular emissions are the biggest contributor to air pollution, made worse by the prevalence of old and poorly maintained vehicles on our roads,” he said. He also mentioned other pollution sources such as industrial activities, illegal refining, gas flaring, burning refuse, household cooking, and power generation.
Dr. Salako warned that failure to take action to reverse high air pollution levels would have severe consequences for public health, the economy, the environment, and survival. “We must address vehicular emissions to improve air quality. The government will introduce tariffs and taxes to discourage the importation of old vehicles and encourage local manufacturing and assembly,” he added.
He further stated that the Ministry, in collaboration with regulatory and enforcement agencies, uses various policies, legislation, programs, and projects to promote minimum air quality standards. He also mentioned plans to establish a national framework to guide states in setting up vehicular and generator emissions testing centers in line with standards developed by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Standards Organization of Nigeria.
Salako stressed that emissions testing should focus on revenue and compliance with national air quality standards.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary Mahmud Kambari, represented by Director of Human Resources Mariya Rufai, highlighted the vulnerability of elders, women, and children to air pollution, underscoring the importance of clean air for good health. He called for broader public awareness of the dangers of air pollution, stating, “Reducing climate change effects starts with ensuring quality air.”
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