Precious Anga
Lagos — Nigeria’s environmental challenges continue to pose significant threats to public health, economic growth and sustainable development, despite ongoing efforts by government and international organisations to address them.
Speaking at an event marking the 2026 World Environment Day in Abuja, Director of the Department of Climate Change at the Federal Ministry of Environment, Iniobong Abiola-Awe, warned that climate change remains one of the greatest threats to sustainable development, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. She noted that rising temperatures, flooding, desertification, biodiversity loss, sea-level rise and extreme weather events are increasingly impacting communities and livelihoods across the country.
The concerns are backed by troubling statistics. Nigeria remains one of the world’s leading gas-flaring nations, with reports showing the country lost about $56.75 billion to gas flaring between 2002 and 2024. During the same period, greenhouse gas emissions from flaring exceeded 714 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Data from the World Bank also indicates that Nigeria flared about 5.3 billion cubic metres of gas across 174 flare sites in 2022 alone.
Air pollution remains another major challenge. The World Health Organisation estimates that Nigeria records about 175 deaths per 100,000 people linked to household and ambient air pollution. In Lagos, the World Bank reported that air pollution contributed to more than 11,000 premature deaths in 2018, while the cost of treating pollution-related illnesses was estimated at $2.4 billion.
This year’s World Environment Day theme, “Inspired by Nature, For Climate, For Our Future,” serves as a reminder that governments must move beyond promises and accelerate concrete climate action. United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, recently warned that the planet is “sending distress signals everywhere,” citing record-breaking temperatures, rising sea levels and worsening climate disasters. The United Nations Environment Programme also called for urgent action to reduce emissions, restore ecosystems and embrace nature-based solutions.
Nigeria has made several commitments, including plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 29 per cent by 2030 and 32 per cent by 2035, while targeting net-zero emissions by 2060. The government is also pursuing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including access to clean energy, clean water and environmental sustainability.
However, achieving these targets will require stronger implementation. Investments in renewable energy, particularly solar, hydro and wind power, should be expanded. The ongoing adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) should be accelerated, while efforts to end gas flaring and reduce air pollution must be intensified. Access to clean water and sanitation should also remain a priority.
There is equally a need to strengthen environmental education, expand tree-planting programmes across the country and promote climate-smart agricultural practices. Farmers should be encouraged to adopt sustainable methods, including converting agricultural waste into organic fertilisers, which can improve productivity while protecting the environment.
Nigeria’s environmental challenges are significant, but they are not insurmountable. With stronger policies, greater investment and sustained public awareness, the country can build a cleaner, healthier and more resilient future for generations to come.
