Chemical engineer Hakeem Akintola has proposed an innovative and sustainable solution to tackle the serious environmental problems plaguing Nigeria.
He stressed that these issues are leading to increased healthcare costs, reduced productivity and depletion of natural resources.
In a statement sent to Punch Online on Saturday, Akintola highlighted the growing demand for effective remediation strategies and advocated the use of nanotechnology as a promising solution.
Akintola, a lecturer at the University of Florida, said: “Environmental pollution is a pressing global challenge, and Nigeria is particularly facing serious consequences.
“Our country’s rapid industrialization and urbanization are releasing harmful substances into the environment, severely impacting soil, water and air quality.”
Akintola, who is working on leveraging nanotechnology for environmental remediation, wrote in a recent paper entitled “Nanotechnology in Bioremediation: A Synergistic Approach for Targeted Pollutant Removal” that He also said that the company is exploring the possibility of integrating bioremediation technologies.
He said the study reveals how nanomaterials such as metal oxides and carbon-based nanoparticles can significantly enhance the breakdown and removal of harmful substances.
“Nanoparticles have unique properties that can improve microbial activity, increase the bioavailability of pollutants, and promote pollutant degradation more effectively,” Akintola explained.
The engineer’s research details various applications of nanomaterials to target specific pollutants, promote microbial growth, and enhance pollutant uptake. This approach is particularly important for Nigeria, where the scale and complexity of pollution is often difficult to deal with using traditional methods.
While recognizing the potential environmental and safety risks associated with nanotechnology, Akintola emphasized the importance of developing appropriate disposal methods and regulatory frameworks to ensure safe and effective implementation. did.
Akintola is committed to finding solutions that not only address Nigeria’s environmental challenges, but also contribute to global efforts to combat pollution. “Our research provides practical solutions that can be applied to real-world scenarios,” he added. “We want to foster collaboration between scientists, policy makers, and communities to build sustainable and resilient ecosystems.”
