By Bunmi Yekini
The Media Awareness and Justice Initiative (MAJI) has revealed alarming levels of air pollution in the Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State, raising urgent concerns about the health and environmental risks posed by unchecked industrial activities. At a press briefing in Lagos, MAJI’s newly released environmental factsheet, “The Unseen Risk,” highlighted the escalating presence of particulate matter pollutants and the deteriorating air quality in ten communities.
“Our data shows a sharp rise in pollution levels from April to September 2024, threatening human health, biodiversity, and aquatic ecosystems,” said MAJI Executive Coordinator Okoro Onyekachi Emmanuel. He added that the lack of real-time environmental monitoring has left communities vulnerable and uninformed.
The study, documented alarming spikes in Particulate Matter – PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10.0 pollutants, coupled with rising temperatures and worsening air quality. Residents reported visible signs of environmental degradation, yet lacked the tools and data to advocate for meaningful change.
The findings call into question Nigeria’s commitment to achieving its net-zero emissions target by 2060, as promised under the Paris Agreement. MAJI identified gaps in data collection and policy implementation, urging immediate action to address these issues.
“This pollution crisis isn’t just an environmental issue, it’s a threat to lives and livelihoods,” Emmanuel stated. He highlighted that Nigeria has the highest air pollution-related deaths in Africa and ranks fourth globally for poor air quality, according to a 2023 World Economic Forum report.
Emmanuel demanded that government agencies and private companies deploy real-time monitoring equipment and conduct health audits for affected communities. He also stressed the importance of transparency, urging companies in Ibeju Lekki to disclose or conduct environmental impact assessments.
“This is a wake-up call for everyone,” Emmanuel declared. “We must act now to prevent further damage and protect lives.”
MAJI’s report serves as a clarion call for urgent interventions to combat Nigeria’s air pollution crisis and protect the future of vulnerable communities.
MAJI criticized the absence of real-time environmental monitoring and data collection frameworks, which it argued were essential for effective governance and climate adaptation. The organization called on stakeholders, including the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Dangote Group, to take immediate action.
The NGO recommended several measures to address the crisis. These include deploying real-time air quality monitoring devices, conducting environmental health audits for communities near the refinery, and ensuring companies disclose or undertake environmental and social impact assessments. MAJI also urged local residents to document physical environmental changes and engage in dialogue with stakeholders.
“Data is power,” Emmanuel said. “Empirical evidence is crucial for holding polluters accountable and developing policies that protect people and ecosystems.”
MAJI’s findings also revealed the devastating potential of unchecked pollution to harm aquatic biodiversity, which could have long-term consequences for the region’s economy and food security. The group called on state and federal agencies to prioritize the implementation of Nigeria’s Open Data Policy and ensure transparency in environmental governance.
Emmanuel ended the briefing with a rallying cry for collective action: “We can no longer ignore the unseen risks. Together, we must fight for a cleaner, healthier Nigeria.”