Nasarawa State has become the first state in Nigeria to host a Vehicular Emissions Testing Centre, a flagship project under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). The initiative, launched in partnership with the federal government, Nasarawa State Government, and private sector stakeholders, is designed to combat air pollution while creating jobs, boosting revenue, and strengthening Nigeria’s environmental compliance framework.
At the commissioning, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari, who represented the Minister, described the project as a strategic step toward safeguarding public health and promoting sustainable development.
“Air pollution is a silent killer. It affects quality of life, agricultural productivity, health, and well-being. It does not discriminate—it impacts children, the elderly, workers, the rich, the poor, and even unborn generations,” he said.
Kambari added that the centre reflects Nigeria’s commitment to international best practices, noting that it would help regulate vehicle maintenance, emissions, and compliance with global environmental standards.
The Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Dr. Bahijjahtu Abubakar, credited political will and collaboration for making the project possible. She praised Governor Abdullahi Sule for providing the enabling environment and urged stakeholders to safeguard the facility.
“This centre is a collective responsibility. We must all do what we can to protect it because it is for our collective good,” she stated.
Speaking for the Nasarawa State Government, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Hussain Usman, highlighted the socio-economic benefits. He said the facility would generate employment, improve air quality, and boost state revenue.
The centre, developed in partnership with Bhustan Energy, is expected to serve as a model for similar facilities across Nigeria.
