10th U6+ Consortium of African Universities International Conference

Air pollution remains a critical environmental health challenge in rapidly urbanizing African cities, with children disproportionately affected due to their vulnerability and daily exposure. This study investigates the health implications of ambient air pollutants among secondary school children in Lagos State, Nigeria, where many schools are located adjacent to major highways. Employing a cross-sectional design, the research combined real-time air quality monitoring with structured health surveys and activity diaries across 45 purposively selected schools. Key pollutants assessed included fine and coarse particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O₃), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Findings revealed a substantial symptom burden: 86.4% of students reported recurrent headaches, while 73% experienced persistent coughing. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant positive associations between PM2.5 (r = 0.05) and NO₂ (r = 0.03) with eye and nasal irritation, headaches, and coughs. Ozone and VOCs exhibited weaker but positive correlations with asthma, with ozone showing a highly significant impact on asthma attacks (p = 0.000). These results underscore that traffic-related emissions in school micro-environments are direct triggers for acute respiratory and neurological symptoms among children. The study highlights the urgent need for integrated interventions, including improved school siting policies, vegetation buffers, dust suppression, and community-driven air quality management. By situating these findings within the One Health framework, the research emphasizes the interconnectedness of environmental exposures and human well-being. Furthermore, it calls for inclusive innovation and citizen science approaches such as low-cost sensor networks and participatory monitoring to empower communities and policymakers in mitigating pollution. Ultimately, addressing air quality in African schools is essential for safeguarding child health, enhancing educational outcomes, and advancing sustainable transformation in the era of the Fifth Industrial Revolution.