Bridging data gaps in Nigerian air pollution: coverage, infrastructural challenges, and public health implications

Abstract

Air pollution is a major environmental and public health issue in Nigeria, yet substantial gaps persist in data collection, analysis, and policy implementation. This editorial highlights emerging trends and ongoing challenges in air quality research throughout Nigeria, aiming to stimulate dialogue on future directions and policy implications, and focusing on infrastructural deficits and public health implications. Rapid industrialisation and urbanisation have intensified emissions from vehicles, industries, and unregulated sources, compounding health risks. The study synthesises 35 years of sampling campaigns across diverse receptor sites, highlighting the evolution of pollutant monitoring and analytical methods. While some studies have contributed to policy development, most are hindered by obsolete equipment, limited sampling duration, and inadequate analytical capacity. As a result, many pollution episodes and their health impacts remain underreported, especially in high-risk communities. The editorial underscores the urgent need for multidisciplinary, long-term monitoring using modern technologies and comprehensive data analysis to guide effective interventions. Bridging current gaps demands strategic investment, coordinated research, and inclusive policies to generate reliable data, protect vulnerable populations, and support public health planning.