Environmental experts and advocacy groups have called on Nigerian authorities to expand the use of air-quality monitoring technology across the country to improve pollution tracking and protect public health.
The Media Awareness and Justice Initiative (MAJI) said widespread deployment of air-monitoring sensors would provide reliable data needed to address pollution challenges and improve environmental accountability.
MAJI Executive Director, Mr Okoro Onyekachi, made the call during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The meeting was organised to mark the International Day for Clean Air and Blue Skies, with discussions focused on the importance of environmental data in tackling air pollution.
Experts Seek Public Access to Pollution Data
Onyekachi said modern environmental monitoring systems would help communities understand the impact of polluted air and demand appropriate action from authorities.
He explained that continuous collection and public sharing of air-quality information would strengthen environmental decision-making and allow citizens to participate more actively in protecting their surroundings.
“Reliable environmental data gives communities the ability to understand pollution impacts and seek solutions,” he said.
Niger Delta Faces Air Quality Concerns
Prof. Mbalisi Onyeka, an environmental education specialist at the University of Port Harcourt, stressed that air-quality information should not remain limited to government offices or scientific institutions.
He said environmental data should be accessible to residents, researchers, policymakers and civil society organisations.
According to Onyeka, MAJI’s findings indicate that some communities in the Niger Delta experience unhealthy air conditions, with certain pollutants exceeding recommended safety levels.
He identified pollutants including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides and carbon emissions as major concerns in affected areas.
Pollution Linked to Health Risks
The environmental expert warned that prolonged exposure to polluted air could threaten human health and increase risks of serious illnesses.
He called for stronger monitoring systems to identify pollution sources and support effective interventions.
Mr Ikechukwu Ahaka, MAJI’s Lead Project Officer for Policy and Environment, said harmful compounds from air pollution remain a major global health concern.
The environmental expert explained that volatile organic compounds and other toxic substances could affect vital organs and contribute to serious health problems.
37 Sensors Deployed Across Niger Delta
Ahaka disclosed that MAJI had already installed about 37 air-quality monitoring sensors across parts of the Niger Delta to collect pollution data.
He said 15 of the devices were provided through international partners, including the Open Air Foundation, with support from the United Nations Democracy Fund.
The data collected from the sensors, he said, would be analysed and developed into reports that could support government policies, environmental advocacy and legislative decisions.
Oil Activities Among Major Pollution Sources
Ahaka identified oil exploration, industrial operations and unsafe domestic practices as some of the major contributors to air pollution in the Niger Delta.
He encouraged wider adoption of cleaner cooking methods and the creation of a coordinated clean-air network capable of tracking pollution levels across communities.
Calls for Stronger Environmental Regulation
Dr David Vareba, Executive Director of the Access Africa for Rights and Development Initiative, urged environmental regulators to include air-quality checks during investigations into oil spills and industrial pollution.
He specifically called on the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to incorporate air monitoring into Joint Investigation Visits.
Vareba said environmental assessments often focus on soil and water contamination while paying limited attention to airborne pollutants.
He added that wind patterns should also be considered because harmful emissions can travel beyond the immediate location of pollution incidents.
Experts Push for Data-Driven Environmental Protection
Environmental stakeholders at the meeting agreed that access to accurate pollution data would be critical in protecting communities and improving public health outcomes.
The environmental expert urged government agencies, industries and communities to use technology-driven monitoring systems to build a cleaner and healthier environment.
