The Federal Government has unveiled a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction Initiative designed to strengthen environmental health governance, enhance emissions monitoring, and safeguard public health across Nigeria.
Dr. Yakubu Baba, Registrar of the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), announced the initiative during its official unveiling on Tuesday in Abuja.
He explained that the programme, branded Oxygen Fuel Energy, has the potential to cut 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,” Baba said.
He described the project as an environmental solution that also delivers clear economic benefits.
The programme is being implemented under the National Air Quality Programme of the Federal Ministry of Environment and aligns with the provisions of the National Environmental Health Practice Regulations, 2024.
Baba noted that the initiative supports the environmental sustainability objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking with journalists after the event, he emphasized that the project underscores Nigeria’s commitment to protecting citizens’ health, preserving the environment, and meeting global climate obligations.
He identified climate change as a present-day 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,” Baba stated.
The registrar highlighted that the programme advances national climate policies and contributes to relevant Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those concerning health, energy, and sustainable cities and communities.
Reducing emissions from oil usage, he added, will help Nigeria fulfill international commitments while conserving domestic resources.
Dr. Baba called on transport unions, oil marketers, fleet operators, manufacturers, as well as state and local governments to embrace the initiative as a shared national responsibility.
The launch reflects the Federal Government’s broader push to integrate environmental health protection with climate action, aiming to deliver cleaner air, better public health outcomes, and economic gains through innovative, sustainable fuel solutions.
