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The Federal Government has unveiled a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction Initiative aimed at strengthening environmental health governance, improving emissions monitoring and protecting public health.
Dr Yakubu Baba, Registrar of the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), said at the unveiling on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in Abuja that the initiative would also support Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and advance sustainable development.
Baba explained that the project, known as Oxygen Fuel Energy, had the potential to reduce carbon emissions by up to 70 per cent.
“The aim of the initiative is to achieve cleaner air, reduce smoke and particulate matter, lower greenhouse gases and improve fuel efficiency, resulting in economic savings for businesses,” he said.
He described it as an environmental solution that also made economic sense.
According to him, the programme is being implemented under the National Air Quality Programme of the Federal Ministry of Environment, in line with the provisions of the National Environmental Health Practice Regulations, 2024.
Baba added that the initiative aligned with the environmental sustainability goals of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the event, he said the project demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to protecting citizens’ health and safeguarding the environment while fulfilling global climate obligations.
He identified climate change as a present public health emergency, linking air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, cancer and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
“Clean air is not a luxury. This initiative represents a proactive way to prevent diseases and reduce the healthcare burden on communities,” he said.
Baba noted that the programme supported national climate policies and relevant Sustainable Development Goals, especially those related to health, energy and sustainable cities.
He added that reducing emissions from oil usage would help Nigeria meet international commitments while protecting domestic resources.
The registrar called on transport unions, oil marketers, fleet operators, manufacturers, and state and local governments to embrace the initiative as a shared national responsibility.
By Felicia Imohimi
