Abstract:
Air pollution remains a major environmental and public health concern in Nigeria, contributing significantly to disease burden and mortality, with estimates indicating it accounts for over 7% of deaths nationally. In response, Nigeria has developed a range of policy frameworks, including the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act (2007), the Climate Change Act (2021), and sector-specific regulations targeting emissions from industry, transport, and oil and gas operations. These policies demonstrate growing institutional recognition of air quality management and align with global environmental commitments.
Progress in air quality monitoring has been gradual but uneven. Efforts include the establishment of monitoring stations by government agencies and research collaborations, as well as emerging interest in low-cost sensor technologies and data-driven approaches. However, monitoring coverage remains sparse, with limited spatial and temporal data availability, constraining evidence-based policymaking. Infrastructure challenges such as unreliable power supply, poor maintenance of equipment, and insufficient funding further undermine monitoring effectiveness.
Despite existing policies, significant challenges persist. Weak enforcement, institutional fragmentation, and overlapping mandates among regulatory bodies hinder effective implementation. Additional barriers include inadequate technical capacity, limited public awareness, rapid urbanization, and continued reliance on polluting energy sources such as diesel generators. Corruption and political interference also reduce regulatory effectiveness and compliance.
Addressing these challenges requires strengthening institutional capacity, improving inter-agency coordination, expanding real-time monitoring networks, and promoting open access to air quality data. Enhanced public engagement and sustained investment in technology and enforcement mechanisms are critical to achieving effective air pollution control and protecting public health in Nigeria.
The case study of projects by (AQMRG) include five selected studies funded by Atmospheric Passive Sampling (GAPS) Network, Environment and Climate Change Canada, US Department of States (US DoS), Monash University, Australia, Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) and African Engineering and Technology (AFRETEC) Network.
