University of Benin Researcher wins Award at International Environmental Conference in Lagos

By Tosin Clegg

A penultimate-year environmental researcher from the University of Benin, Gift Fabolude, has been recognised as one of the awardees at the 2018 annual conference of the Society for Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Mitigation (SETPOM), held in Lagos on October 24.

Fabolude, who is studying Environmental Management and Toxicology, received the Best Presenter Award for his paper on the toxicity evaluation of industrial waste in Nigeria.

His research drew attention to how unregulated industrial activities and the improper discharge of effluents into the environment contaminate water sources, damage farmlands, and expose nearby communities to harmful heavy metals and other toxic substances.

Speaking in an interview after the event, Fabolude said the award was an encouragement for young researchers and stressed that Nigeria must act urgently to address the dangers of unchecked industrialisation.

“Industrial growth is important, but when industries operate without proper regulation, it becomes a silent threat to both people and the environment,” he said. “Communities living close to factories are the most affected, and this recognition motivates me to continue advocating for stronger environmental safeguards.”

Organisers of the conference praised the awardees for delivering presentations that combined scientific rigor with practical relevance to Nigeria’s environmental realities.

The Lagos conference brought together academics, policymakers, and industry experts from across Africa to discuss emerging threats from industrial and urban pollution and to chart pathways for sustainable pollution control and environmental health protection.