The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mrs Monilola Udo said that according to the World Bank, air pollution costs societies more than 5 trillion dollars annually.
Udo said this while declaring open the sensitization workshop on the Promotion of the Internet of Things (IOT) for technology air quality monitoring in the environment in Abuja.
According to Monilola, “the Internet of Things refers to the Internet of computing devices embedded in everyday objects enabling them to send and receive data.”
She explained that the internet of things has a lot of climate-related potential such as monitoring air quality, and water quality, pointing out that it is the engine that will drive Nigeria into the much anticipated smart city environment.
To this end, she enjoined the participants to take advantage of the workshop, and policies of the Ministry in Research and Innovation.
Earlier, the Director of Environmental Science Technology Department of the Ministry, Dr Peter Ekwuozor, said that IOT is a great intervention for monitoring air quality both indoors and outdoor.
Dr Ekwuozor further said that the IOT will help to develop effective policy means, control harmful emissions and consequently limit health burdens in the country.
