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November 7, 2024
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June 30, 2025
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Abstract

Background: While industrial construction supports societal growth, the Obajana cement factory in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, Nigeria, has caused significant environmental issues due to toxin release. This study assessed the impact of industrial pollution on the physical and mental well-being of people living near the Obajana cement industry.


Methods: This study used a descriptive survey. The target population consisted of 5,085 locals living near the Obajana Cement Factory in Kogi State, Nigeria. Four hundred and twenty (420) heads of household were chosen using a multi-stage sample approach.


Results: The findings revealed that pollutants from cement mills severely harm the community’s health.


Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of government action in enforcing environmental laws. Health agencies in Kogi State should launch awareness campaigns on the importance of regular medical checkups to reduce health risks. Meanwhile, relevant agencies must ensure factory compliance, and residents and workers must use personal protective equipment.

Keywords

Health implication pollutants well-being factory environment

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Copyright (c) 2025 Dare Abubakar Baba , Babatunde Ekundayo, Samson Adebayo Babatunde; Rasheed Onigbegi Ambali; Abdulkareem Hussein Bibire, Kamalud-Deen Adekunle Uthman

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Author Biographies

Dare Abubakar Baba , University of Ilorin, Nigeria

Baba Dare Abubakar holds a Ph.D. and is a senior lecturer in the Department of Health Promotion and Environmental Health Education at the Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin. He has over 10 years of teaching and research experience. His research interests include Community Health, Primary Health Care, and Public Health Education.

Babatunde Ekundayo, Veritas University, Abuja, Nigeria

Dr. Ekundayo Babatunde is the Programme Coordinator of the Caregiving and Healthcare Assistance Programme at Veritas University Consultancy Unit in Abuja. He also serves as the CEO and Director of Training at Cathund Digital International Centre for Distance Learning and Continuing Education Limited, a nonprofit organization in Abuja, Nigeria. Dr. Babatunde holds a PhD from the University of Waikato in New Zealand, an MPH from Walden University in the USA, an M.Ed, and a B.Sc (Ed) from the University of Ilorin in Nigeria. His research interests include medical waste management, caregiving innovation, and high-tech methodologies in education. He is committed to advancing healthcare training and fostering global academic collaborations.

Samson Adebayo Babatunde, University of Ilorin, Nigeria

Dr. Babatunde Samson Adebayo, a University of Ibadan alumnus, is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ilorin's Department of Human Kinetics Education. With over a decade of teaching experience, he has served on university statutory boards and has been an adjunct lecturer at PAULESI, University of Ibadan, since 2021. His research interests include Hypnotherapy Training, Sports Career Counselling, Mental Skills Education, and Performance Enhancement.

Rasheed Onigbegi Ambali, Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, Nigeria

Ambali Rasheed Onigbegi is a lecturer in the Department of Physical and Health Education at Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin. He is currently serving as the Head of Department in the School of Science at the college. 

Abdulkareem Hussein Bibire, Nigeria Police Academy, Kano State, Nigeria

Dr. Bibire Abdulkareem Hussein is a Senior Lecturer at the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, with over 10 years of experience in teaching and research. He earned his PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Ilorin. His research interests include Personality and Procrastination.

Kamalud-Deen Adekunle Uthman, University of Ilorin, Nigeria

Uthman Kamalud-deen Adekunle is a graduate student in the Department of Health Promotion and Environmental Health Education, Faculty of Education. He is presently at the final stage of his M.Ed. Health Education Programme. His research interests include Sexual and Reproductive Health, Family Health, Adolescent Health, Women's Health, Public Health Education, and Health Counseling.

How to Cite
Baba , D. A., Ekundayo, B., Babatunde, S. A., Ambali, R. O., Bibire, A. H., & Uthman, K.-D. A. (2025). Impact of Industrial Pollutants on the Well-being of Residents in Obajana Cement Factory Area, Kogi State, Nigeria. Pan-African Journal of Health and Environmental Science, 4(1), 28–38. https://doi.org/10.56893/ajhes2025v04i01.03
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