Emerging Issue in Environmental Air Quality in Nigeria: A Brief Review

Nigeria faces a significant environmental challenge concerning air quality, driven by increasing industrialization, urbanization, and insufficient waste management. Pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and volatile organic compounds deteriorate air quality. These pollutants are released from vehicle exhaust, generator emissions, industrial diesel plants, waste burning, and dust. They pose serious health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Addressing the challenges of emerging contaminants requires persistent policy implementation, public awareness, and sustainable practices to improve air quality and safeguard public health in Nigeria, as well as its environmental integrity.