TITLE:
AUTHORS:
Touitou, Tina C., Charles M. Ekeh, Odigbo Benedict Ejikeme, Ngwoke Oliver Uzonna
Page: 26-45 Vol: 20 Issue: 08 Year: 2025
ABSTRACT
In Nigeria, all the states across different ecological zones experience diverse environmental challenges, including drought-induced desertification, gully erosion, flooding, sewage problems, and so on. Environmental pollution in Nigeria is a pressing issue that poses significant risks to human health, ecosystems, and the economy, and very essential to understand the major sources of environmental pollution to develop effective strategies for mitigating its adverse effects. However, various forms of environmental abuse have put the lives of residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja at the risk of diverse kinds of situations and adverse health conditions. The paper postulates that ignorance of the risk posed by environmental abuse could be responsible for the lackadaisical attitude of the populace. These issues highlight the need for comprehensive environmental policies and proactive measures to mitigate their impacts. In order to address the environmental pollution in Nigeria requires a multi-faceted approach, including effective communication and public relations strategies, improved waste management, stricter environmental regulations, public awareness campaigns, and active community participation. Based on this, the study employed survey design that comprised of quantitative and qualitative methods. It also adopted purposive sampling method in selecting four informants (qualitative aspect) and lecturers of the School of Basic and Allied Sciences in Babcock University. The selection was based on their experience and role in the society. The study concluded by saying that an awareness campaign is required to enable residents understand the risks to which they are exposed and to equip them with education, knowledge and skill to combat the challenges posed by pollution. And recommended a replacement of the watch-dog role of Mass Media to that of a Guide-dog role, communication programmes should be planned to include different public relations’ tools and techniques and such campaigns should be planned and timed.
Keywords:
Public relations, Pollution, Environmental pollution, Strategic Tool and National Development.
Received: 22 June 2025
Accepted: 26 July 2025
Published: 01 August 2025