By Omoniyi David
A materials engineering researcher, Azeem Abubaker, has urged the Federal Government to abandon the “grow now, clean later” development approach, warning that economic growth should not come at the expense of environmental sustainability.
Speaking in an interview in Abuja, Abubaker cautioned that delaying action on pollution and environmental degradation could saddle Nigeria with toxic air, depleted resources and huge clean-up costs in the future.
He said prioritising rapid economic expansion without strong environmental safeguards could trigger public health crises and cause irreversible damage to the ecosystem.
The expert proposed a three-pillar strategy for sustainable development: adoption of green technology, promotion of a zero-waste circular economy, and immediate enforcement of environmental laws.
According to him, Nigeria’s developing industrial base offers an opportunity to “leapfrog” the environmentally damaging stages experienced by older economies.
“Choosing clean energy and smart regulations now allows Nigeria to build a resilient economy that creates wealth without sacrificing citizens’ health,” he said.
