Sodiq Ojuroungbe
As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assigned Dr. Ishaq Salako as the Minister of State, Environment, and Ecological Management, all eyes are on the Yewa-born politician on how he would take up the crucial role, bearing in mind the magnitude of challenges ahead.
The former commissioner of health in Ogun State is expected to address the challenges facing the environment and to look for ways to support research projects centred on adaption techniques for climate change that are specifically designed for Nigeria’s unique ecosystems.
Numerous urgent environmental challenges have plagued the nation, and there are also ongoing climatic calamities that require urgent attention from the government.
Nigeria’s environment faces a wide range of issues that include pollution, deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss.
The new minister is expected to develop effective plans and policies in order to guarantee a sustainable future for the country.
According to data issued by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, one of the main environmental problems in Nigeria is pollution, which has pegged the country as the highest with child pneumonia deaths attributable to air pollution in the world.
Nigeria currently ranks 18th in the list of most polluted countries in the world with an average of 34 microgrammes per cubic meter of particulate matter concentration.
Nigeria’s environment is also being threatened by deforestation. There is habitat destruction and biodiversity loss due to the widespread removal of forests for logging, agriculture, and urbanization.
This impacts local communities that depend on forest resources for their livelihoods as well as the ecological balance.
The United Nations revealed that Nigeria has the highest deforestation rate in the world, with an estimated 3.7 per cent of its forest lost every year.
An environmental expert at the Ogun State Ministry of Environment, Banjo Adelani, told PUNCH Healthwise that the incoming minister needs to adopt a multifaceted strategy that integrates capacity-building efforts, research projects, community participation, the adoption of sustainable practices, and international partnerships.
He said that the new minister must strengthen legal frameworks, enhance enforcement procedures, and encourage openness and accountability.
“The new government needs to focus on sustainable resource management. Despite our abundance of natural resources, Nigeria frequently deals with problems including deforestation, pollution, and unethical behaviour.
“The incoming minister should prioritize putting these plans into action in order to protect biodiversity, advance renewable energy sources, and support sustainable agriculture methods.
“It is critical to address both adaptation and mitigation of climate change. As extreme weather events like floods and droughts occur more frequently, Nigeria is becoming increasingly exposed to the effects of climate change.
“The incoming minister must place a high priority on creating effective plans for coping with climate change while simultaneously striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through programmes like reforestation or the promotion of renewable energy alternatives.
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