In the bustling streets of Nigeria's urban centres, an invisible threat looms. With over 11.8 million vehicles crowding the nation's roads and approximately 55% of the population concentrated in urban regions, traffic pollution has emerged as a silent but potent danger to respiratory health. This challenge sits at the heart of the complex relationship between climate change, environmental degradation, and public health—a nexus that demands urgent attention and innovative solutions.

The Scale of the Challenge

Lagos, Nigeria's most populous city, tells a stark story: traffic emissions account for over 30% of PM2.5 emissions alone. This statistic becomes even more alarming when combined with other pollutants—PM10, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide—produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels in aging vehicle fleets. The result? A growing public health crisis that disproportionately affects urban dwellers.

Since the mid-20th century, air pollution has commanded global attention, but recent years have seen it evolve into a primary global concern. From local policy discussions to international forums like the recent COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the message is clear: we can no longer afford to ignore the intersection of traffic pollution, climate change, and respiratory health.

The Human Cost

The World Health Organisation's 2023 report presents a sobering reality: air pollution claims over 7 million premature deaths annually, ranking it among the world's deadliest health risks. The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago further illuminates this crisis, demonstrating that particulate pollution's impact on life expectancy surpasses that of smoking, with effects more than three times greater than alcohol use and seven times that of HIV/AIDS.

For Nigeria, these global statistics hit close to home. Of the six most prevalent respiratory disorders in the country—asthma, pneumonia, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary tuberculosis, COPD, and lung cancer—three are directly linked to air pollution, while the others are significantly exacerbated by it.

Looking Ahead: The Role of Research and Innovation

This is where initiatives like the C²REST Nigeria Study become crucial. As a comprehensive research project investigating the impacts of climate change on respiratory health in Nigeria, C²REST represents a timely and necessary response to this growing crisis. The study's focus on understanding personal exposures to air pollution and their links to respiratory problems positions it at the forefront of addressing these challenges.

With Nigeria's urban population projected to reach 70% by 2050, the need for evidence-based solutions has never been more pressing. Through its three-year research agenda (2024-2027), C²REST is working to bridge the critical gap between understanding and action. By collecting data on personal exposures to air pollution, interviewing community members about their experiences with climate change, and building a comprehensive picture of respiratory health impacts, the study aims to inform equitable and cost-effective strategies at both national and subnational levels.

The Path Forward

As traffic emissions continue to pose significant health challenges to present and future urban dwellers in Nigeria, the work of initiatives like C²REST becomes increasingly vital. By combining rigorous research with community engagement and stakeholder collaboration, we can develop more effective approaches to protecting respiratory health in the face of growing environmental challenges.

The solution to Nigeria's traffic pollution crisis will require a multifaceted approach—one that combines policy innovation, community awareness, and evidence-based interventions. Through the dedicated efforts of researchers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders working together under initiatives like C²REST, we can move closer to a future where clean air and respiratory health are protected for all Nigerians.

To learn more about how C²REST is working to address these challenges and contribute to solutions, visit ccrest.org.