The Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has declared a Public Health Emergency over the rising incidence of environmental-related diseases linked to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and combustion-engine pollution across the country.

The declaration was made in Abuja during a press briefing addressed by the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of EHCON, Dr Yakubu Baba.

Dr Yakubu warned that air-pollution-related illnesses now pose a greater long-term public health threat than the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also announced the activation of the National Emergency Response Initiative on Environmental Public Health Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (NERI-EPHIGGEL).

“The initiative will be implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), and other relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), state Ministries of Environment, Environmental Protection Agencies, and Local Government Environmental Health Departments.

“Key emergency measures include intensified regulatory inspections of high-emission facilities and transport corridors, mandatory environmental public health compliance audits, sanctions for non-compliance under the 2024 Environmental Health Practice Regulations, and the introduction of emission-reduction technologies,” he stated.

Mandatory Emission Testing

He further stressed that Council is also working on a mandatory emission testing for generators and heavy-duty vehicles, phased restrictions on highly polluting engines, strengthened environmental health surveillance “through the deployment of over 70,000 Environmental Public Health Officers nationwide.”

The Registrar says that the emergency response is expected to reduce pollution-related morbidity and mortality, improve air quality, strengthen environmental public health governance, and enhance national resilience to environmental health threats.

“Addressing environmental-related diseases from greenhouse gas emissions is “not an exaggeration, but a necessity,” we call on stakeholders, government, industry, communities, and the media to support the initiative in the interest of public health and national development,” he stated.

According to EHCON, Our investigations field surveillance and environmental intelligence reveal an alarming trend, environmental related diseases linked to air pollution are increasing at a scale that now surpasses the long-term public health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said, “these pollutants are largely emitted from fossil-fuel generators, heavy-duty vehicles, industrial machinery, marine engines, mining operations, and petroleum sector activities.”

Dr Yakubu Baba emphasised that the declaration aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, particularly its focus on strengthening environmental public health governance and protecting citizens from preventable health risks.

The Registrar EHCON warned that Nigeria is facing a convergence of critical risk factors, “including:

Rising preventable deaths from pollution-induced illnesses, excessive and unregulated reliance on combustion engines, Weak emission controls in high-risk sector. Escalating healthcare costs and loss of productive human capital, failure to act decisively, the Council cautioned, would overwhelm Nigeria’s healthcare system and significantly undermine national development goals.”

The Council noted that many affected Nigerians have never smoked or consumed alcohol, yet are increasingly diagnosed with chronic and acute respiratory infections, lung and other environmentally induced cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and systemic inflammatory conditions. “Climate-change-driven increases in dust and particulate matter have further worsened the situation.”

EHCON identified unregulated reliance on combustion engines, weak emission controls in high-risk sectors, rising healthcare costs, and the loss of productive human capital as key drivers of the crisis.

It warned that failure to act urgently would place an unbearable burden on Nigeria’s healthcare system and undermine national development.

President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu, the Chief Imam of Ilorin and a respected Islamic scholar, who passed away at the age of 75.

In a condolence message issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu extended his sympathies to the family of the late cleric, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the Ilorin Emirate Council, and the Muslim Ummah in Kwara State over what he described as a profound loss.

President Tinubu described Sheikh Saliu as a devoted servant of Allah, a bridge-builder, and a voice of moderation whose wisdom, humility, and commitment to unity earned him respect across religious and social divides.

The President also stated that the Muslim Ummah will long remember the late Chief Imam for his invaluable contributions to religious harmony, community development, and the mentoring of future generations through learning and exemplary leadership.

President Tinubu prayed that Almighty Allah grant the departed cleric Al-Jannah Firdaus and comfort his family, followers, and the entire Ilorin Muslim community at this time of grief.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged troops of 3 Division, Nigerian Army, to remain disciplined, professional, and committed, stressing that their role in addressing security challenges on the Plateau is critical to Nigeria’s national stability.

The charge was delivered on Monday, 19 January 2026, during an operational visit to the Headquarters of 3 Division, Nigerian Army, in Jos, Plateau State.

According to a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army Chief addressed officers and soldiers on discipline, leadership, welfare, and operational focus while assessing ongoing security efforts in Plateau State.

“Discipline remains the bedrock of the military profession. Service in the Nigerian Army is voluntary and anchored on the noble responsibility of defending our nation’s territorial integrity,” Lieutenant General Shaibu told the troops.

The Chief of Army Staff disclosed that he had been fully briefed by the General Officer Commanding, 3 Division, on operational and welfare challenges confronting personnel, adding that the most pressing issues had already been addressed by Army Headquarters.

“The welfare of our troops remains a top priority. We will continue to provide the enabling environment and the necessary combat enablers for you to carry out your duties effectively,” he assured.

Lieutenant General Shaibu urged the soldiers to respect the chain of command and draw guidance from their superiors, noting that officers bear responsibility for mentoring subordinates towards professional growth and successful military careers.

He also charged troops to maintain high standards of physical fitness and mental alertness, explaining that deliberate measures have been instituted to prepare personnel for the demands of military service.

Emphasising leadership at all levels, the Army Chief described Senior Non-Commissioned Officers as the vital link between officers and soldiers, urging them to provide firm middle-level leadership and guidance.

On ongoing operations in Plateau State, he described the security environment as unique, assuring troops that Operation ENDURING PEACE is being properly guided and supported to achieve its mandate.

“Your job here on the Plateau is critical to national stability. Remain focused, professional and proud of your service to the nation,” the COAS said.

He further encouraged personnel to channel grievances through appropriate military channels, assuring them that such concerns would be promptly addressed.

As part of efforts to improve troop welfare, Lieutenant General Shaibu commissioned two blocks of 30 flats for Non-Commissioned Officers and a separate block of residential accommodation for officers at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos.