Pollution In Nigeria Research Articles

Addressing oil spillages and agricultural productivity. Evidence of pollution in Nigeria.

Addressing oil spillages and agricultural productivity. Evidence of pollution in Nigeria.

Noise Pollution in Nigeria’s Institutions of Higher Learning: A Review

Education is the cradle of development and must be properly guarded. Higher institutions are citadels of learning engaging in high intellectual discourse that require quiet ambience. The high noise level in Nigeria’s institutions of higher learning has become a growing concern. This paper reviewed the studies done concerning noise pollution vis-à-vis the noise sources, its effects and abatement measures put in place if any. Modular mini electric generators, road traffics and religious organization’s activities were found culpable to the majority of noises produced both inside the institutions and their neighbourhoods. More than 90% of the institutions' community are exposed to disturbing noise levels. The review showed that most of the institutions’ measured noise levels range between 50 dB(A) and 110 dB(A). Also, the majority of the exposed persons feels helpless while hoping to habituate with the conditions. There is a need, therefore, for the school management to collaborate with the government to ensure that sustainable noise mitigation measures are put in place in the institutions to avert its negatives consequences on students’ performance and staff output.

NGO standing in petroleum pollution litigation in Nigeria—Centre for Oil Pollution Watch v Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

Abstract Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been at the forefront of securing environmental justice for the people of Nigeria’s Niger Delta suffering the effects of pollution arising from petroleum exploitation. Standing constraints have, however, limited NGOs’ abilities to access the courts to prevent or remedy pollution. This article analyses the recent decision of Nigeria’s Supreme Court in Center for Oil Pollution Watch v Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). It finds that environmental NGOs, previously unable to institute action under existing public interest litigation procedures, can now institute action in their own rights to prevent or remedy environmental pollution in Nigeria.

Capital, the State, and Environmental Pollution in Nigeria

This research discusses the environmental pollution by the capital in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria and identifies two historical agents that have the potential to harmonize their social power through a common language that may create a new social and political agency. We argue that the working class and the community-based social movements are necessary but not sufficient agents of transformation in the Nigerian oil-dependent capitalist economy. The cooperation between the global and local sites of resistance is an imperative: a synergy and deliberate action by the conglomerate of trade unions, community-based social movements, nongovernmental organizations, local and global activists, nurtures the potential to transform the capitalist domination, exploitation, and expropriation in Nigeria. Using secondary literature sources, we re-visit the conversation on the role of capital and the pollution of environment in Nigeria through the concept of “Movement of Movements”.

Dynamic heterogeneous analysis of pollution reduction in SANEM countries: lessons from the energy-investment interaction.

This scientific enquiry examines the role of capital investment in the energy-pollution model in SANEM countries. The methodology is based on the Pooled Mean Group (PMG), which is appropriate for a heterogeneous panel. Findings reveal that energy use negatively impacts CO2 emissions in Algeria, South Africa, Morocco, and the panel, in the short-run; however, it positively impacts CO2 pollution in Nigeria, Egypt, and the panel, in the long-run. Again, investment exerts a positive effect on CO2 in South Africa and Algeria, whereas it is negative in Nigeria, Egypt, and Morocco. Capital investment also expands short-run pollution in the panel, but it reduces long-run pollution. Lastly, the energy-investment interaction reduces the panel's CO2 pollution in the short-run and long-run, as well as, in Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa, except in Algeria. Thus, we conclude that capital investment is crucial in the energy-pollution nexus and suggest cooperation in attracting low-carbon emitting investments to the region.

Plastic Bags Prohibition Bill: A developing story of crass legalism aiming to reduce plastic marine pollution in Nigeria

Mismanaged plastic land-based waste entering the marine environment is a growing problem globally. Plastic bag reduction policies have been widely adopted in Africa but are mainly punitive outright legislative bans. Limited evidence exists that document effectiveness of these legislative bans on curbing plastic marine pollution in Africa. In May 2019, the Nigerian government passed the Plastic Bags Prohibition Bill (Bill) which proposed to prohibit the use, manufacture and importation of all plastic bags used for commercial and household packaging. The Bill proposed by the Nigerian government mirrors punitive legislation prevalent elsewhere across Africa. Legislative tools used internationally were compared to the proposed Nigerian Bill and limitations identified. We highlight how the Bill can be redrafted to reflect national policy to improve ocean management. Redrafting the Bill should include proactive measures, such as market-based instruments, proper planning, coordination, implementation and enforcement before final enactment into law.

Neighbourhood Spatial Pattern and Noise Disturbance in Benin City, Nigeria

Noise has an environmental challenge is increasing due to urbanization, industrialization and modernization. While residential noise pollution could have adverse effect on health and social wellbeing, little attention has been directed towards investigating the implications of spatial pattern of neighbourhood facilities on noise pollution in Nigeria. This study assessed how noise disturbance is related to spatial pattern within two neighbourhoods in Benin City, Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were used to elicit information from residents on demographics and neighbourhood characteristics while residential land-mix was observed through street mapping. Sixty-six participants were randomly selected from Government Reserved Area (GRA) and Ogbe quarters of Benin City. Result showed that the neighbourhood facilities which host commercial, transportation and industrial activities were the closest to the dwelling units while natural vegetation was the farthest. Also there was spatial variation in distribution of neighbourhood features especially the commercial and recreational areas which affects the noise exposure level. The study concludes that it is necessary to mitigate noise within residential neighbourhoods through proper land use and zoning strategies.

Assessment of Histopathological Damages in African Catfish (Clarias garienpinus) as Influenced by Nittol Detergent Aquatic Pollution in Nigeria

Toxicity of Nittol detergent on the histopathology of the African catfish (C. gariepinus) sub adult was investigated. The experiment was conducted in triplicates of four treatments. Behavioral changes in fish exposed to different concentrations of Nittol detergent ranged from erratic swimming, moribund movement, jumping and lack of balance. Similar changes were not observed in the control throughout the experiment. Nittol detergent is composed of linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonate (LABS), sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), sodium carbonate, sodium sulphate, sodium perborate and sodium silicate (perfume) as active ingredients. The fish were exposed to concentrations 1.0 g/L, 2.0 g/L, 3.0 g/L and 4.0 g/L. At 1.0 g/l concentration, the mean mortality was 80% with an initial erratic swimming. It was observed that mean mortality increased drastically with increase in concentration of the pollutant (Nittol detergent). At concentration 3.0 g/L, total mortality was observed within 72 hours of exposure preceding moribund swimming while total mortality was observed in 4.0 g/L. The concentration at which 50% of the experimental fish were killed (LC50) was 1.9 g/L. Results from statistical analysis indicated that mortality varied (p<0.05) significantly with concentrations as higher values recorded higher mortalities. However, mean values showed highest mortality (74%) with Nittol detergent. Histopathology of the liver of fish exposed to Nittol after 96hrs revealed severe damage and necrosis of the liver cells when compared with the control which had a normal distribution of hepatic cells. Similarly, results from histopathology of the gills of the exposed fish to Nittol detergent revealed fusion and damages to gills lamellae when compared with the control which has normal distribution of the gills lamellae. Severe changes in the epithelia of the gill arch were also observed. Findings from histopathology of the intestine also revealed severe damages to the intestinal walls and mucosa when compared with the control. Images from the histopathology of the gills revealed severe damages to the gill lamellae by the Nittol detergent whereas the control showed a normal distribution of gills lamellae. And in the same vein, histopathology result on the effect of Nittol Detergent on the intestine of the exposed fish revealed chronic damages to the intestinal mucosa when viewed with motic electron microscope at x10 magnification. It was therefore concluded that Nittol Detergent causes significant and severe damages to C. gariepinus and recommended the control disposal of this detergent into aquatic bodies to reduce the negative impact on the histopathology of aquatic organisms.

Environmental Quality and Economic Development: is there a Kuznets Curve for Air Pollution in Nigeria?

Environmental Quality and Economic Development: is there a Kuznets Curve for Air Pollution in Nigeria?

Empirical Study on Sick Building Syndrome from Indoor Pollution in Nigeria

There are rising cases of building occupants with health-related challenges such as irritation, asthma, lung infections, headaches, and other allergies. These health conditions sometimes disappear once the occupants live such buildings which are referred to as sick building syndrome (SBS). With the high fatality rate associated with air pollution and Nigeria ranking 4th in the poorest air quality globally, the study assessed SBS from indoor pollution in residential and office spaces. The study utilized a cross-sectional survey research design and employed the use of an air quality detector to measure a 24-h mean measurement of air conditions within the study area. The study was carried out in Zaria, Kaduna State. Statistical tools such as graphs, mean score, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and correlation matrix were used to analyze the dataset. The study showed that the major symptoms associated with SBS from indoor pollution. The indoor conditions that may contribute to SBS in the residential and office spaces were mainly lighting conditions, headroom in the building, and position of windows. While the study reported that the presence of SBS from indoor pollution can lead to increased maintenance, dizziness, and depression/breakdown. The measurement of the indoor pollutants contributing to the SBS among residential and office space occupants showed that PM2.5 and PM10 were mostly above the average 24-h mean standard. The study suggested recommendations to improve indoor air quality and reduce syndromes associated with sick buildings.

Occurrence of FOX AmpC gene among Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates in abattoir samples from south-eastern Nigeria

In Nigeria, several investigations have been done about the prevalence of the AmpC enzyme in clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria; however, little information is available on the occurrence rate of this important enzyme in abattoir specimens that play a major role in the environmental pollution in Nigeria. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of FOX AmpC-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from abattoir samples by both phenotypic method and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In this study, 360 abattoir samples were analyzed for the isolation of P. aeruginosa strains. Antibiogram was carried out using the disk diffusion technique. The production of AmpC enzymes was phenotypically screened and confirmed using the cefoxitin--cloxacillin double-disk synergy test (CC-DDST). Finally, gene responsible for FOX AmpC enzyme production was investigated using PCR. A total of 147 (40.8%) isolates of P. aeruginosa was recovered from the abattoir samples. Ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin with 45.6 and 19% of susceptibility rates were the most and the less effective antibiotics, respectively. A total of 24 (16.3%) P. aeruginosa isolates were confirmed to phenotypically produce AmpC enzyme. However, the PCR result showed that only three (12.5%) of P. aeruginosa isolates harbored the FOX AmpC gene suggesting the attendance of other AmpC resistance genes. This study reported the first occurrence of P. aeruginosa isolates harboring the FOX AmpC gene in abattoir samples from south-eastern Nigeria. This incident requires the adoption of new policies and measures to prevent the further spread of strains carrying the AmpC gene.

Economic Growth, Energy Consumption and Environmental Pollution in Nigeria: Evidence from ARDL Approach

The objective of this paper is to investigate the influence of economic growth and energy consumption on environmental pollution in Nigeria for over 1981-2014 periods and utilized Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) and Philip Perron (PP) unit root tests together with Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Model in the process of achieving the desire objective. The outcome revealed that all the variables were stationary at first difference and cointegrated whereas the long-run outcome revealed that economic growth and energy consumption have significant positive effects on environmental pollution and this implies that increasing economic growth and energy consumption are responsible for the increasing level of environmental pollution while crude oil price has negative and significant influence on environmental pollution which implies that crude oil price reduces environmental pollution in the long-run. All the short-run outcomes corroborate their long-run counterparts. Nigeria government should emphasis more on the consumption of renewable energy in order to lessen the damaging impacts of economic activities and fossil fuels energy consumption on the quality of the country’s environment.

Crude Oil Price, Urbanization and Environmental Pollution in Nigeria: Evidence from ARDL Approach

The impacts of crude oil price and urbanization on environmental pollution in Nigeria for the time frame of 1981 to 2016 is the main objective of this paper and the objective was achieved through the application of Augmented Dickey Fuller and Kwiatkowski Philip Schmidt Shin unit root tests together with Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model in the process of achieving stationarity and cointegration among the variables. The results obtained showed from ADF indicate that foreign direct investment and urbanization were stationary at level while environmental pollution and crude oil price at first difference. But KPSS result revealed that all the variables with the exception of urbanization were stationary at level and the bound test result revealed that all the variables are cointegrated. The long-run and the short-run findings indicate that foreign direct investment and crude oil price have significant negative sign with environmental pollution for the periods under study and this shows that these variables are helps in ensuring clean environment and maintain the quality of the environment. But urbanization results from the long-run and the short-run models shows that it has significant positive sign with environmental pollution and this signifies that urbanization is among the drivers of environmental pollution in the country. We recommend that for the country to maintain good environmental quality the country must limit the process of urbanization to best level in order to reduce the associated environmental impacts and to maintain balance were the quality of the environment is not harm by the increasing urbanization.

Unsustainable management of wastewater and brewing effluents: The impacts on socioeconomy and environment, Lagos and Niger Delta region, Nigeria

Wastewater mismanagement poses a threat to economic growth and long term prosperity of many countries around the world specially developing ones. Waste is regarded as redundant products, with no marginal value by the owner but impact negatively to the environment and human well-being. Wastewater treatment or reuse does not only improve the promotion of environment and healthy ecosystems but sustains it for long period. Sustainable wastewater management is crucial especially in Niger Delta where water scarcity is enormous. Socio-economic importance of wastewater control especially by municipals, brewery and industries cannot be overemphasized. Though combinations of effluents, oil spills, etc. contribute over 95% of environmental pollution in Nigeria, our focus is on inefficiency of wastewater treatment plants. This study examines the exposure of poor management of wastewater, brewery effluents in Niger delta eco-zones and Lagos state. Multiple Exposure, Multiple Effects (MEME) descriptive method of analysis was used. Based on expository founding that humans, flora and fauna were exposed to the danger of wastewater pollutions in both regions. Conclusion was made based on government priority. The study will be beneficial to brewery industries, government monitoring agencies/institutions, researchers for further improvement especially in the area of mind-set change.

The Quandary on Water Pollution in Nigeria’s Niger Delta: an Environmental Ethical Analysis

The Quandary on Water Pollution in Nigeria’s Niger Delta: an Environmental Ethical Analysis

Macrodebris and microplastics pollution in Nigeria: first report on abundance, distribution and composition.

The abundance, distribution and composition of marine debris ( > 5 cm) and small microplastics (11 μm) from five rivers in South Eastern Nigeria was investigated. This study provided the first assessment of the type and quantity of marine litter and microplastics in Nigeria. A total of 3,487 macrodebris items/m2 were counted with the following distribution: plastics (59%), metal (10%), cloth (7%), paper/cardboard (7%), rubber (7%), glass/ceramics (5%), medical and agro-based waste (3%), and wood (2%). The cleanliness of the river assessed with clean coast index ranged from “very clean” to “extremely dirty”. Microplastics abundance ranged from 440 to 1,556 particles/L, with high accumulation at downstream. Fragment shape was most abundant while fiber and film followed. The distribution of plastic types was PET (29%), PE (22%), PVC (16%), PP (14%), and others (6%). Significant relationship was found between the total abundances of microplastics and different macrodebris groups suggesting that microplastics were abundant in areas where the macrodebris abundance was high. Our results provide baseline information for future assessments. Management actions should focus on input prevention including proper waste management, recycling of plastics, and strict penalties for illegal dumping of wastes.

The importance of microplastics pollution studies in water and soil of Nigeria ecosystems

The microplastics in the environment is a novel problem to scientists, public media, governmental and non-governmental organizations. The major problem is from the difficultness of removing them from the ecosystem. Elsewhere studies are being conducted while in Nigeria studies are relatively lacking. Production (10.3 %) and consumption (6.5 %) of plastics are on the increase annually, thereby, causing an increase in the amount of plastic waste generated annually. Finally, from such studies, data generated will provide insight and understanding into the extent of microplastic pollution in Nigeria. Furthermore, the data will be important not only for both remediation and minimization of effects but could be employed in averting occurrence through policies such as ban on some types of plastic uses in Nigeria. In this study, four manually generally microplastic types (PVC, acrylics, polyesters, silicones) were evaluated for heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, and As) adsorption at optimized pH by ETAAS.

Oil Pollution Prevention in Nigeria: A Lesson to Learn from Other Jurisdictions

In Nigeria just like any other country of the world where oil and gas are produced, there are legislations put in place to control if not prevent the menace of pollution by oil and gas. Despite this, there are problems with the legislations as well as institutions in place in this regard ranging from lack of enforceability of the laws to that of weak institutions to enforce the laws among other things. This article therefore poised to compare the legal and institutional framework for the prevention of oil pollution in a chosen oil and gas jurisdictions. The legal and institutional framework for the prevention and control of oil and gas pollution in these countries were compared with the position in Nigeria. The article therefore analysed the efficacy or otherwise of the extant Nigeria legislations and institutions vis-à-vis that of the jurisdictions under review in respect to the control. At the end it was discovered that the Nigerian oil pollution legislations as well as the institutions are ineffective, lack enforceability and weak and therefore cannot sufficiently withstand the negative impact of oil exploration and production on the environment. The research thus made a case for an effective viable, adequate and comprehensive body of legislation, as well as proactive institutions to deal with the menace of oil and gas pollution in Nigeria.

Dynamics of Economic Growth and Environmental Degradation in Nigeria using Vector Auto-Regressive Model

The study examined the interrelationship among economic growth, environmental pollution and human health for Sustainable Development (SD) in Nigeria. This was to contribute to the dynamic debate of how human and economic activities relate and interrelate with environmental pollution in measuring sustainable development in Nigeria. This study further sought to verify the Environmental Kuznet Curve Hypothesis in Nigeria.The study employed the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to investigate linear and interrelationship mainly among life expectancy at birth, economic growth and environmental pollution in Nigeria from 1970-2015. Since the variables have unit root and revealed that there is at least a cointegrating equation in the model, the VECM become a more appropriate model for the study.The VECM Impulse Response Function (IRF) result indicated that economic growth increased environmental degradation in the long run and environmental degradation on the other way round reduced economic growth in most of the period of the study. The VECM system conditional forecast of 10%, 20% and 26% from 2000 to 2015 periods showed that a 10%, 20%, and 26% reduction forecasts of environmental pollution led to a consistent increased economic growth and life expectancy at birth of the country in the study. This indicated that a reduction in environmental pollution will improve the health of Nigerians and also enhance a sustainable development in the country.The study concluded that environmental degradation reduces economic growth while economic activities in the country increases environmental degradation in the country. From the conditional forecast, the study further concluded that efforts in reducing environmental pollution through policies and better environmental friendly economic activities will improves economic growth for sustainable development in the country.

Examination of the Legal Regulation on Noise Pollution in Nigeria

This work considered one of the environmental hazards which is ‘Noise pollution. Even though superficially, the subject matter appears belittled or of no much hazardous effect to man and his health, technically, it portends danger to man and his health. This is more importantly when the noise becomes unusually loud and uncontrolled that diminishes the quality of air and adversely affects the environment, public health and the welfare of man. Sources of noise pollution in Nigeria today are in the increase and people are but expected to live and bear with it because it is almost becoming a way of life and an acceptable norm. That should not be so. It is against this background that this paper examines the legal regulations on noise pollution in Nigeria by ex-raying the relevant laws and policies for curtailing same. This paper adopted a combination of descriptive and analytical methodologies to review authoritative secondary literature's to inject life into primary sources on noise pollution in Nigeria. The paper found that noise pollution is generated in Nigeria mostly from generating plants, pressure horns, construction/industries, religious worship, household noise and many more. The paper recommends effective policy formulation and enforcement of the existing laws with stiffer penalties by the courts to deter the agents of noise pollution.