A modern air quality monitoring station has been inaugurated at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, in honour of Emeritus Professor Abiodun Francis Oluwole, a distinguished physicist and mentor.
The facility, initiated and donated by a group of Professor Oluwole’s former mentees, aims to support research on air pollution and its impact on public health. It is equipped with state-of-the-art optical and electrochemical sensors that provide real-time data on 11 environmental parameters, including temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed and direction, ultraviolet radiation, rainfall, and key air pollutants.
Speaking at the commissioning, the Federal Controller of Environment in Lagos, Dr. Olabimpe Adenaike, who represented the Minister of Environment, commended the initiative and called on more professionals and private individuals to support projects that bridge environmental science and public health.
“Air pollution is linked to a wide range of health conditions including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, and cancer. Reliable air quality monitoring like this is essential for data-driven policies and interventions,” she said.
Former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Professor Dapo Afolabi, described the project as a meaningful tribute to Professor Oluwole’s decades-long commitment to science and mentoring.
“This station offers an opportunity to generate local data with modern sensors, reducing our dependence on foreign standards. It is a lasting legacy to a man who pioneered air quality monitoring in Nigeria,” Afolabi said.
Project coordinator, Emeritus Professor Bode Asubiojo, explained that Lagos was chosen as the site due to the significant air pollution caused by vehicular emissions and the central location of the hospital. He emphasized that the station is a national resource, accessible to researchers and public health professionals.
Dr. Wakil Lawal, Acting Chief Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, welcomed the project, noting its value in enhancing health-related research and community interventions.
Dr. Olusesan Joshua, Chief Technical Officer of Scientific Energy and Environmental Management Systems (SEEMS) Ltd., who led the technical implementation, highlighted that the station represents a transition from conventional gas analyzers to sensor-based technology. He added that a remote terminal would be hosted at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, under the joint management of the Environmental Health Research Group and the Institute for Ecology and Environmental Studies.
Representing the Oluwole family, Mr. Akin Oluwole expressed gratitude on behalf of his brother, praising the donors for acknowledging his contributions to science and mentorship.
Emeritus Professor Oluwole is celebrated for mentoring over 40 professors and four other Emeritus Professors, many of whom have gone on to lead in various sectors of environmental science and research.
The event drew scholars and professionals from institutions across the country, many of whom are beneficiaries of Professor Oluwole’s enduring academic legacy.