The Green Knowledge Foundation (GKF) has urged the Federal Government and Ogun State Government to declare an environmental state of emergency in the Ogijo community, Ogun State, citing dangerously high levels of air pollution that threaten health, the environment, and local livelihoods.
GKF’s Executive Director, Weyinmi Okotie, made the appeal while presenting findings from a recently concluded Air Monitoring Project in Ogijo, conducted in partnership with Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev). The study revealed that PM2.5 and PM10 levels in the community consistently exceed World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, exposing residents to prolonged hazardous air quality conditions.
“Ogijo is not just facing a public health crisis, it is also an environmental and socio-economic challenge. Families are forced to spend scarce resources on medical treatment for pollution-induced illnesses instead of education or development needs,” Okotie said.
The report indicated that both mobile and stationary monitoring showed frequent spikes in particulate matter, with PM2.5 levels remaining high, particularly during colder months. Industrial activities—including waste burning, tyre-to-fuel recycling, steel processing, and open dumping—were identified as major contributors. Domestic waste burning and vehicle emissions were also found to aggravate the pollution. The study further noted that air pollution poses cross-boundary risks, affecting neighbouring Lagos State due to prevailing wind flows.
Collins Azuike of GKF connected the crisis to this year’s International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, observed on September 7 under the theme “Racing for Air.” He emphasised that air pollution is a global challenge, affecting countries across Asia, Europe, the UK, and Nigeria, including Lagos, Warri, and Ogijo. Azuike lamented that Nigeria lacks sufficient equipment, tools, and reporting mechanisms to effectively monitor air quality.
Citing United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) data and reports from Kwara State, he noted that air pollution is linked to more than 198,000 deaths in Nigeria annually, primarily from childhood pneumonia, with an economic impact exceeding $2.1 billion each year.
For Ogijo residents, the crisis is a lived reality. Adeshina Adesegun, a long-term community member, attributed the problem to waste dumping, unchecked industrial expansion, and unemployment, underscoring the urgent need for government intervention.
