Abstract

This study focuses on evaluating air quality monitoring systems and their effectiveness in reducing public health risks associated with air pollution in the Nigerian context. It focuses on critical urban areas such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt which are heavily populated, industrially developed, and have high motor vehicle emissions. The goal is to evaluate the impact of air quality monitoring on public health and inform policy actions. The data was obtained through a systematic review of literature between 2016-2022 which includes government and environmental agency reports, peer-reviewed articles, and case studies. The paper discusses the limited availability of monitoring systems in urban areas of Nigeria, but also highlights the progress made in Lagos which has led to improved health outcomes, including decreased respiratory disease prevalence. On the other hand, gaps in infrastructure, inconsistent monitoring, and lax enforcement pose barriers. The recommendations include the construction of additional automated monitoring stations, the use of mobile units and satellite data, real-time air quality data dissemination to the public, and better enforcement of regulations. The study concludes that, while monitoring is insufficient in Nigeria, it has been effective in reducing air pollution and public health risks in certain metropolitan regions.