Robust Control of Environmental Pollution in Nigeria: The Prospects of Leveraging GIS and Remote Sensing

Thomas U. Omali¹, Rosemary O. Onyevu²

¹ Chief Technical Officer, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Abuja, Nigeria.

² PhD Scholar, Department of Geoinformatics and Surveying, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.   

Abstract

Environmental pollution stands as one of the most critical challenges facing the world today. It escalates yearly, causing significant harm to the planet and human well-being. Although both natural phenomena and human activities contribute to environmental pollution, it is primarily driven by human endeavours. Nigeria, in particular, experiences a high level of environmental pollution, especially in its heavily populated urban centres. It leads to a range of hazards affecting both the human population and the environment. Therefore, this paper examines effective and comprehensive strategies for managing environmental pollution to ensure a sustainable ecosystem in Nigeria, highlighting the importance of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing. In this process, relevant literature on the topic was gathered from reputable databases. This was followed by a thorough screening and assessment for eligibility, leading to the selection of specific studies for analysis. The findings indicate that Nigeria has significantly lost its livable environment due to pollution and degradation, which negatively impacts agriculture and aquaculture by contaminating waterways, groundwater, soil, and other resources.  Also, pollution persists in Nigeria and has nearly become normalized despite the existence of organisations aimed at environmental monitoring. Of course, regulatory agencies are failing to enforce existing rules and regulations effectively, revealing that adequate penalties for pollution control have yet to be established. Generally, GIS and remote sensing can now be used by scientists to glean meaningful insights in various fields. Hence, their application in environmental monitoring and pollution control.    

Keywords: Contamination, Environmental protection, GIS, Pollutant, Regulation, Sustainability

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