Emissions of air pollutants in Nigeria
Nigeria: Emissions of air pollutants was 1.02 million tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
1.02 million tonnes
Change on year
up 0.5%
World rank
24th
of 220 countries
All-time high
1.06 million tonnes
in 2019
All-time low
2,367 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Nigeria, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2022, emissions of air pollutants in Nigeria stood at 1.02 million tonnes.
The figure is up 0.5% on the previous year and up 40.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Nigeria peaked at 1.06 million tonnes in 2019 and was at its lowest, 2,367 tonnes, in 1750.
That places Nigeria 24th out of 220 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Emissions of air pollutants in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 2,367 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 2,367 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1752 | 2,368 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1753 | 2,369 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1754 | 2,369 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1755 | 2,370 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1756 | 2,371 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1757 | 2,371 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1758 | 2,372 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1759 | 2,373 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1760 | 2,373 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1761 | 2,374 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1762 | 2,375 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1763 | 2,375 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1764 | 2,376 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1765 | 2,377 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1766 | 2,378 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1767 | 2,378 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1768 | 2,379 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1769 | 2,380 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1770 | 2,380 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1771 | 2,381 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1772 | 2,382 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1773 | 2,382 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1774 | 2,383 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1775 | 2,384 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1776 | 2,384 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1777 | 2,385 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1778 | 2,386 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1779 | 2,386 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1780 | 2,387 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1781 | 2,388 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1782 | 2,388 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1783 | 2,389 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1784 | 2,390 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1785 | 2,390 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1786 | 2,391 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1787 | 2,392 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1788 | 2,392 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1789 | 2,393 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1790 | 2,394 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1791 | 2,394 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1792 | 2,395 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1793 | 2,395 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1794 | 2,396 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1795 | 2,397 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1796 | 2,397 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1797 | 2,398 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1798 | 2,399 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1799 | 2,399 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1800 | 2,400 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1801 | 2,404 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1802 | 2,408 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1803 | 2,412 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1804 | 2,416 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1805 | 2,420 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1806 | 2,424 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1807 | 2,429 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1808 | 2,433 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1809 | 2,437 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1810 | 2,441 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1811 | 2,446 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1812 | 2,451 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1813 | 2,457 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1814 | 2,462 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1815 | 2,467 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1816 | 2,473 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1817 | 2,478 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1818 | 2,484 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1819 | 2,489 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1820 | 2,494 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1821 | 2,500 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1822 | 2,505 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1823 | 2,510 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1824 | 2,516 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1825 | 2,521 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1826 | 2,527 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1827 | 2,532 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1828 | 2,537 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1829 | 2,543 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1830 | 2,548 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1831 | 2,554 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1832 | 2,559 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1833 | 2,565 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1834 | 2,570 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1835 | 2,575 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1836 | 2,581 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1837 | 2,586 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1838 | 2,592 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1839 | 2,597 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1840 | 2,603 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1841 | 2,608 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1842 | 2,614 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1843 | 2,619 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1844 | 2,625 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1845 | 2,630 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1846 | 2,636 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1847 | 2,641 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1848 | 2,647 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1849 | 2,652 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1850 | 2,653 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1851 | 2,667 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1852 | 2,682 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1853 | 2,696 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1854 | 2,711 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1855 | 2,726 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1856 | 2,740 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1857 | 2,755 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1858 | 2,770 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1859 | 2,785 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1860 | 2,799 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1861 | 2,821 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1862 | 2,843 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1863 | 2,864 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1864 | 2,886 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1865 | 2,908 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1866 | 2,929 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1867 | 2,951 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1868 | 2,972 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1869 | 2,994 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1870 | 3,016 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1871 | 3,056 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1872 | 3,094 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1873 | 3,131 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1874 | 3,168 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1875 | 3,206 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1876 | 3,245 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1877 | 3,285 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1878 | 3,324 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1879 | 3,364 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1880 | 3,403 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1881 | 3,445 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1882 | 3,487 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1883 | 3,529 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1884 | 3,571 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1885 | 3,613 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1886 | 3,657 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1887 | 3,702 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1888 | 3,746 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1889 | 3,791 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1890 | 3,836 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1891 | 3,883 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1892 | 3,930 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1893 | 3,978 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1894 | 4,026 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1895 | 4,073 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1896 | 4,124 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1897 | 4,174 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1898 | 4,225 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1899 | 4,276 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1900 | 4,327 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1901 | 4,613 tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1902 | 4,904 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1903 | 5,198 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1904 | 5,498 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1905 | 5,802 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1906 | 6,114 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1907 | 6,431 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1908 | 6,753 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1909 | 7,080 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1910 | 7,412 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1911 | 8,034 tonnes | +8.4% |
| 1912 | 8,544 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1913 | 8,864 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1914 | 9,313 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1915 | 9,804 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1916 | 10,404 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1917 | 11,217 tonnes | +7.8% |
| 1918 | 12,081 tonnes | +7.7% |
| 1919 | 12,578 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1920 | 13,363 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1921 | 14,188 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1922 | 14,368 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1923 | 15,380 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1924 | 16,226 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1925 | 17,247 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1926 | 18,519 tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1927 | 19,510 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1928 | 20,332 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1929 | 21,079 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1930 | 21,920 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1931 | 22,729 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1932 | 23,252 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1933 | 24,090 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1934 | 25,156 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1935 | 26,109 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1936 | 27,335 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1937 | 28,637 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1938 | 29,558 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1939 | 30,176 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1940 | 31,125 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1941 | 32,441 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1942 | 33,952 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1943 | 35,212 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1944 | 36,838 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1945 | 37,342 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1946 | 39,002 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1947 | 40,023 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1948 | 41,372 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1949 | 42,309 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1950 | 50,850 tonnes | +20.2% |
| 1951 | 50,970 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1952 | 53,333 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1953 | 55,528 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1954 | 57,727 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1955 | 59,406 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1956 | 62,302 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1957 | 64,042 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1958 | 67,084 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1959 | 69,376 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1960 | 70,807 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1961 | 77,388 tonnes | +9.3% |
| 1962 | 78,304 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1963 | 80,487 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1964 | 89,569 tonnes | +11.3% |
| 1965 | 103,638 tonnes | +15.7% |
| 1966 | 115,544 tonnes | +11.5% |
| 1967 | 126,487 tonnes | +9.5% |
| 1968 | 98,975 tonnes | -21.8% |
| 1969 | 109,636 tonnes | +10.8% |
| 1970 | 131,635 tonnes | +20.1% |
| 1971 | 140,291 tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1972 | 158,804 tonnes | +13.2% |
| 1973 | 181,894 tonnes | +14.5% |
| 1974 | 203,606 tonnes | +11.9% |
| 1975 | 211,020 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1976 | 244,285 tonnes | +15.8% |
| 1977 | 273,968 tonnes | +12.2% |
| 1978 | 310,972 tonnes | +13.5% |
| 1979 | 320,312 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1980 | 347,415 tonnes | +8.5% |
| 1981 | 371,377 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1982 | 382,499 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1983 | 387,373 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1984 | 368,626 tonnes | -4.8% |
| 1985 | 367,789 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1986 | 383,534 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1987 | 358,465 tonnes | -6.5% |
| 1988 | 392,809 tonnes | +9.6% |
| 1989 | 399,140 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1990 | 376,280 tonnes | -5.7% |
| 1991 | 436,047 tonnes | +15.9% |
| 1992 | 495,811 tonnes | +13.7% |
| 1993 | 468,577 tonnes | -5.5% |
| 1994 | 432,214 tonnes | -7.8% |
| 1995 | 469,952 tonnes | +8.7% |
| 1996 | 504,565 tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1997 | 535,839 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1998 | 498,763 tonnes | -6.9% |
| 1999 | 537,941 tonnes | +7.9% |
| 2000 | 548,148 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 2001 | 609,268 tonnes | +11.2% |
| 2002 | 616,396 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 2003 | 641,813 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 2004 | 655,947 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 2005 | 671,004 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 2006 | 630,406 tonnes | -6.1% |
| 2007 | 609,021 tonnes | -3.4% |
| 2008 | 671,745 tonnes | +10.3% |
| 2009 | 654,590 tonnes | -2.6% |
| 2010 | 722,951 tonnes | +10.4% |
| 2011 | 710,831 tonnes | -1.7% |
| 2012 | 724,183 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 2013 | 923,590 tonnes | +27.5% |
| 2014 | 944,023 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 2015 | 888,775 tonnes | -5.9% |
| 2016 | 971,423 tonnes | +9.3% |
| 2017 | 972,118 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 1.02 million tonnes | +5.0% |
| 2019 | 1.06 million tonnes | +4.2% |
| 2020 | 954,645 tonnes | -10.2% |
| 2021 | 1.02 million tonnes | +6.4% |
| 2022 | 1.02 million tonnes | +0.5% |
Nigeria compared with similar countries
- Nigeria's 1.02 million tonnes is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 74,017 tonnes, 13.8× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Nigeria's 1.02 million tonnes is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 44,992 tonnes, 22.7× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Emissions of air pollutants in Nigeria changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | +27.5% | 724,183 tonnes | 923,590 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 2,370 tonnes | 2,367 tonnes | 2,373 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 2,377 tonnes | 2,373 tonnes | 2,380 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 2,383 tonnes | 2,380 tonnes | 2,386 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 2,390 tonnes | 2,387 tonnes | 2,393 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 2,396 tonnes | 2,394 tonnes | 2,399 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 2,418 tonnes | 2,400 tonnes | 2,437 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 2,465 tonnes | 2,441 tonnes | 2,489 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 2,518 tonnes | 2,494 tonnes | 2,543 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 2,573 tonnes | 2,548 tonnes | 2,597 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 2,627 tonnes | 2,603 tonnes | 2,652 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 2,718 tonnes | 2,653 tonnes | 2,785 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 2,897 tonnes | 2,799 tonnes | 2,994 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 3,189 tonnes | 3,016 tonnes | 3,364 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 3,594 tonnes | 3,403 tonnes | 3,791 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 4,053 tonnes | 3,836 tonnes | 4,276 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 5,672 tonnes | 4,327 tonnes | 7,080 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 9,825 tonnes | 7,412 tonnes | 12,578 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 17,021 tonnes | 13,363 tonnes | 21,079 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 25,896 tonnes | 21,920 tonnes | 30,176 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 36,962 tonnes | 31,125 tonnes | 42,309 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 59,062 tonnes | 50,850 tonnes | 69,376 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 95,084 tonnes | 70,807 tonnes | 126,487 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 217,679 tonnes | 131,635 tonnes | 320,312 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 375,903 tonnes | 347,415 tonnes | 399,140 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 475,599 tonnes | 376,280 tonnes | 537,941 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 630,834 tonnes | 548,148 tonnes | 671,745 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 894,193 tonnes | 710,831 tonnes | 1.06 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 996,878 tonnes | 954,645 tonnes | 1.02 million tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
- 21 Netherlands 1.09 million tonnes compare
- 22 Bangladesh 1.06 million tonnes compare
- 23 Australia 1.04 million tonnes compare
- 25 Germany 986,642 tonnes compare
- 26 Turkey 934,732 tonnes compare
- 27 Kazakhstan 928,518 tonnes compare
More environment data for Nigeria
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -5.73 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -5.07 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.281 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.15 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 3.78 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 0.4617 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in Nigeria?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Nigeria was 1.02 million tonnes in 2022, according to Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 1.06 million tonnes in 2019.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,367 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Nigeria rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Nigeria ranks 24th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 40.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Emissions of air pollutants. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 273 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) are gases that are mainly formed during the burning of fossil fuels. Exposure to NOₓ gases can have negative impacts on respiratory health. NOₓ gases can also lead to the formation of ozone – another air pollutant.