The Green Knowledge Foundation (GKF) has urged the Federal Government and the Ogun State Government to declare an environmental state of emergency in the Ogijo community, Ogun State, over alarming levels of air pollution that pose severe health, environmental, and socio-economic risks.

GKF’s Executive Director, Weyinmi Okotie, made the call at the weekend 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 report revealed that the community consistently records PM2.5 and PM10 levels far above World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, exposing residents to 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.

According to the report, both mobile and stationary monitoring indicated frequent spikes in particulate matter, with sustained high PM2.5 levels, especially during colder months. Industrial activities such as 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 worsen the situation.

The study further noted that air pollution has no boundaries, with risks extending beyond Ogun State into neighbouring Lagos due to wind flows.

Adding his voice, Collins Azuike of GKF linked the crisis to this year’s International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, marked on September 7 with the theme “Racing for Air.”

“Every September 7 reminds us that air pollution is not just a Nigerian problem; it’s a global challenge. Asia, Europe, the UK, and here in Nigeria, in Lagos, Warri, Ogijo, we are all affected. But unfortunately, Nigeria is not yet on the racetrack. We lack the equipment, tools, and adequate reporting to measure air quality effectively,” Azuike said.

Citing United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) data and reports from Kwara State, he noted that air pollution contributes to more than 198,000 deaths in Nigeria annually, particularly from pneumonia in children, while the economic toll runs into billions.

“According to available figures, Nigeria loses over $2.1 billion yearly due to health crises linked to air pollution,” he said.

For residents of Ogijo, the problem goes beyond statistics. Adeshina Adesegun, a long-time community member, said the crisis is rooted in waste dumping, industrial expansion, and unemployment.