By Atoyebi Nike
From the haze of harmattan to the soot from roadside waste fires, air pollution is fast becoming one of the most dangerous public health threats in Northern Nigeria. Medical experts are raising alarm over a sharp rise in asthma attacks, ulcer flare-ups, and even lung cancer cases, linking the surge to worsening environmental conditions, unregulated emissions, and lack of proper air quality monitoring across the region.
The northern region of Nigeria is uniquely vulnerable to the health consequences of air pollution due to a combination of natural, economic, and infrastructural factors. From the windswept savannahs of Yobe to the densely populated streets of Kano and Kaduna, millions are breathing in toxins that silently assault their health.
“I often feel like I’m choking, especially when the road is busy or someone nearby is burning trash,” says Rahila Usman, a 32-year-old asthmatic living in Kano. Her story is increasingly common in Nigerian cities, where polluted air is no longer just a discomfort, it’s becoming a direct threat to health and life.
As urbanization surges and environmental safeguards lag behind, a dangerous cocktail of dust, smog, soot, and toxic gases is turning our cities into health hazard zones. Recent scientific findings link this polluted air not only to immediate respiratory problems but to more chronic and deadly conditions like lung cancer, asthma exacerbations, and even peptic ulcers.
This article explores what the science is telling us and what it feels like for real Nigerians living through it.
Lung Cancer: The Unseen Threat in the Air
Traditionally, lung cancer has been closely associated with smoking. But in recent years, air pollution has emerged as a leading environmental cause of the disease, even among non-smokers.
According to a global study published in The Lancet Planetary Health (2023), long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) a microscopic pollutant from exhaust fumes, gas flaring, and industrial smoke can alter lung cells and initiate cancerous mutations.
Dr. Aisha Onu, a consultant oncologist at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, explains:
“These particles are so small they bypass our natural defenses and lodge deep in the lung tissue. They trigger inflammation and DNA changes that can eventually lead to cancer even in people who have never smoked a day in their lives.”
In Nigeria, with unregulated vehicle emissions and frequent bush burning, exposure to PM2.5 is a daily reality. Cancer registries are beginning to record more cases of lung cancer in people with no family history and no tobacco exposure.
Though less commonly diagnosed due to limited screening, health professionals warn that lung cancer is likely underreported in Northern Nigeria. Factors such as cooking smoke, exposure to chemical fumes in informal workshops, diesel generators, and long-term exposure to dust and soot are creating an invisible public health crisis.
In states like Kano and Borno, where many artisans work in poorly ventilated environments metalworks, leather processing, and small-scale manufacturing, the lack of occupational health controls contributes to prolonged exposure to harmful particulates.
Asthma: Living on the Edge of Breath
For asthma patients like Rahila, every spike in air pollution is a personal emergency.
The Nigerian Thoracic Society reports that hospital admissions for asthma attacks rise significantly during periods of high air pollution especially during harmattan or when garbage is openly burned. Common urban pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and sulfur compounds irritate the lungs and trigger asthma symptoms.
“When my child starts coughing and wheezing, I know the air outside is bad even before I check any app,” says Musa Lawal, a father of two in Lagos. “There’s nowhere to escape it.”
Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are especially vulnerable. Many schools in densely populated areas sit near busy roads or industrial sites, exposing young lungs to harmful pollutants every day.
Doctors across northern hospitals have observed a steady increase in asthma cases and respiratory infections, particularly among children and the elderly.
“We are seeing more cases of acute bronchitis and asthma crises, especially during harmattan and in areas near abattoirs or roadside burning sites,” notes Dr. Ibrahim Gidado, a pulmonologist at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.
Children in overcrowded classrooms with poor ventilation are also at heightened risk. In rural communities, where cooking is still largely done with firewood or charcoal in enclosed spaces, indoor air pollution compounds the problem.
Scientific studies confirm that early and chronic exposure to polluted air can not only trigger asthma but also contribute to its development in children.
Peptic Ulcers: The Stomach Suffers Too
While most people think of air pollution as a respiratory threat, emerging research is revealing its impact on the digestive system particularly in people with peptic ulcers.
Air pollutants, especially nitrogen oxides and heavy metals, create systemic inflammation in the body. This, in turn, increases oxidative stress, weakens the stomach lining, and stimulates excessive acid production, all of which can worsen ulcer symptoms.
Dr. Kelechi Umeh, a gastroenterologist at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, notes:
“Patients with ulcers often report more pain, bloating, and acid reflux during periods of high air pollution. We’re beginning to understand that this isn’t a coincidence it’s physiological.”
People living with Helicobacter pylori infections or regular NSAIDs are particularly at risk. Combined with poor air quality, these factors create a volatile mix that can lead to ulcer flare-ups or complications like bleeding.
There is growing anecdotal and clinical evidence that air pollution is worsening gastrointestinal issues, particularly peptic ulcers, which are already common in the region due to high rates of H. pylori infection and widespread use of painkillers without medical supervision.
“Many of my ulcer patients from semi-urban areas complain of increased pain during dusty or smoky weather,” says Dr. Fatima Yusuf, a gastroenterologist based in Katsina. “We believe the body-wide inflammation caused by poor air quality is aggravating their symptoms.”
Why Nigeria is Especially at Risk
Nigeria faces a unique combination of environmental and policy challenges:
Unregulated vehicles and outdated fuel standards in cities like Lagos and Abuja.
Frequent open burning of waste, especially in peri-urban areas.
Gas flaring in the Niger Delta, releasing toxic compounds into the atmosphere.
Poor public transportation infrastructure, leading to traffic congestion and heavy emissions.
Most cities lack real-time air monitoring systems, making it difficult for citizens to track pollution levels or take preventive measures. In 2024, Nigeria ranked among the worst countries in Africa for urban air quality, according to IQAir’s global index.
What Needs to Be Done: Research Meets Action
For Government:
Establish and enforce air quality monitoring and emission regulations.
Invest in clean energy and promote the use of eco-friendly transportation.
Ban open waste burning in urban areas.
For Healthcare Providers:
Educate vulnerable patients about air pollution and its effects.
Monitor asthma, cancer, and ulcer patients closely during pollution peaks.
Include environmental history in diagnostic routines.
For Citizens:
Use face masks, air purifiers, and seal windows during pollution spikes.
Report illegal dumping or open burning.
Advocate for local government action on clean air initiatives.
Conclusion: Breathing Shouldn’t Be a Health Risk
Air pollution is more than a nuisance, it’s a public health crisis that touches every system in the body, from the lungs to the gut. For asthma patients, every breath can be a struggle. For those with ulcers, the pain runs deeper. And for many, the risk of cancer grows invisibly with every day spent breathing contaminated air.
We cannot afford to treat polluted air as normal. Clean air is a right, not a privilege. Nigeria must move from awareness to urgent action to protect its people, its cities, and its future.
Photo Credit: European Environment Agency
