…as FCTA launches ‘Abuja Breathe’ initiative to protect pregnant women from harmful cooking smoke
Oredola Adeola
Stakeholders have emphasised the urgent need for stronger collaboration among all critical players in the environmental sector, including regulators, ministries, industry operators, and community representatives, to drive joint advocacy efforts that enhance safety, protect the environment, and foster harmony across the oil and gas value chain.
This was the major highlight of a panel session at the Nigeria Environment Outlook 2025, organised by Environment Africa Magazine and held over the weekend at the VCP Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Chief Akpabio Esien, General Manager, Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), underscored the importance of collaboration across the oil and gas value chain to ensure safety, environmental protection, and community harmony.
“The best way to achieve meaningful results in the oil and gas sector is through a strong stakeholder arrangement,” he said.
“In our operations, we engage constantly with communities to secure the social license to operate and with regulators to maintain compliance.”
Chief Akpabio explained that NNPC has strengthened engagements with agencies such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Federal Ministry of Environment.
He noted that such collaborations have helped address long-standing issues of community unrest and operational disruptions in the Niger Delta.
“When the environment, oil and gas, energy sectors, and communities come together, we begin to see fewer challenges, no more facility lockups or conflicts that used to stall exploration and production. Everyone understands their role and works toward shared goals.”
He further noted that environmental protection remains integral to NNPC’s operations:
“In oil and gas production, any activity that is not consistent with maintaining product integrity can lead to environmental pollution.
“That’s why we monitor every aspect of our operations. A gas leak is not just an environmental issue — it’s also a financial loss.”
“At NNPC, we understand that Health, Safety, and Environment are not just compliance requirements; they are pillars of sustainable growth.
“Protecting our people, safeguarding our assets, and preserving our environment remain our foremost priorities,” Chief Akpabio added.
Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary, Health Services & Environment Secretariat (HSES) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), who was represented by Dr. Adaeze Ezirigwe, stressed the need for synergy among sectors to effectively tackle environmental and public health challenges.
“None of these sectors can work in isolation. No one has all the answers. We must collaborate,” she said.
“The health sector must be fully integrated into the green transition. Collaboration is key, and we must remain open to innovative ideas.
“Whatever good ideas come forward, we will embrace them, because together, we can create cleaner air, healthier communities, and a more sustainable future for all.”
Speaking on the conference theme, “Shaping a Greener Present for a Sustainable and Resilient Future,” Dr. Fasawe noted that real progress requires a willingness to change.
“People are often not comfortable with change, but real progress in public health and environmental management requires it.
“For too long, the health and environment sectors have worked in silos. That has to end.”
She revealed that the FCTA has launched the “Abuja Breathe” initiative under its clean energy programme to reduce particulate matter pollution, a leading cause of respiratory illness and maternal complications.
“We recently launched a new programme to address air pollution. When we talk about climate change, the focus is usually on greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and chlorofluorocarbons.
“But very few people talk about particulate matter, those invisible particles that permeate our air and our bodies. They are insidious and silent killers.”
“To tackle this, we introduced the ‘Abuja Breathe’ initiative, distributing clean cooking gas to pregnant women.
“Our aim is simple: we don’t want expectant mothers exposed to harmful smoke that could cause premature births or respiratory issues in their babies.
“Clean energy means clean air — and that means healthier mothers and healthier children,” she explained.
She added that an environmental audit is underway to monitor progress and assess the health improvements among participating women.
Professor Charles Anosike, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), represented by Mrs. Glory Onyegbule, Director of Applied Meteorological Services, highlighted NiMet’s ongoing collaboration with partners to enhance climate awareness and adaptation.
“At NiMet, we are deeply committed to sensitizing people about possible weather and climate-related issues,” Onyegbule said.
“We even operate experimental farms in Lagos, where we ensure that every recommendation we make is practiced on-site as a model for best yields and improved harvests.”
She explained that climate change has significantly altered weather patterns across Nigeria.
“Flooding, which used to be something we heard happening in faraway countries like India, is now prevalent here in Nigeria; it’s gradually becoming part of our reality,” she said.
“We also experienced dry spells that severely affected areas such as Saki in Oyo State and parts of Kwara State.
“In our Seasonal Climate Prediction, we clearly stated that these dry spells would occur, and they did. Unfortunately, many farmers did not adhere to the forecast because change is often difficult to accept — old habits die hard.”
