Kazeem Abubaker, a materials engineering researcher, urged the federal government to abandon the “grow now, clean later” model, insisting prosperity must protect the environment.

In an interview on Monday in Abuja, he warned that delaying action on pollution is a dangerous gamble for Nigeria’s future.

Mr Abubaker cautioned that ignoring environmental issues now could trap Nigeria in toxic air, depleted resources, and enormous clean-up costs for future generations.

He said focusing solely on fast growth without environmental rules risks a severe health crisis and permanent damage to the nation’s landscape.

The expert outlined a three-pillar strategy to help Nigeria avoid these mistakes and achieve sustainable development.

The first pillar, he said, is green technology—eco-innovation that integrates clean technology into factories and businesses from the start.

The second pillar is zero waste, defined as a circular economy that recycles resources rather than a “use and throw away” system.

The third pillar is enforcing environmental laws today, rather than waiting for economic growth, a principle he called ‘Strict Rules Now’.

Mr Abubaker, an assistant director of research at the National Centre for Technology Management, said Nigeria can leverage its developing industrial base.

“Because the country is still developing, it can ‘leap-frog’ the dirty stages older economies endured,” he said. “Choosing clean energy and smart regulations now allows the government to build a resilient economy, creating wealth without sacrificing citizens’ health.”

(NAN)