The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, has reiterated that maintaining a clean environment is essential for public health, calling it a “gateway to sound health.” Speaking in Abuja at the third quarter 2025 Citizens and Stakeholders Engagement meeting, he emphasized that a clean environment reduces the risk of disease outbreaks and frequent hospital visits.
Lawal noted that many illnesses—including cholera, typhoid, malaria, and the flu—are often environmentally driven, and that cleanliness and good sanitation directly reduce their impact on individuals and communities. He also highlighted the ministry’s recent achievements, its ongoing commitment to restoring ecosystems, preserving biodiversity, and improving citizens’ understanding of environmental issues via awareness campaigns.