Cost-Benefit Analysis of Pollution from Transportation and the Economic Justification for Green Transport Policies in Zaria LGA Kaduna State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1009-4694Keywords:
Cost-benefit, Economic benefits, Pollution, Transportation, Green Transport policiesAbstract
This study examined transportation-related pollution and the economic justification for green transport policies in Zaria. Data were collected from 121 transport users through a structured questionnaire. The results show that most respondents are male (83.5%), have higher education, and nearly half do not own personal vehicles. Motorcycles and tricycles are the most frequently used modes of transport, with almost half of respondents using transport more than twice daily. A majority (89.2%) are aware of environmental pollution from vehicle emissions, and most perceive transportation as a significant contributor to air pollution and increased health costs. Respondents also recognize that pollution affects economic productivity and strongly support government investment in green transport options such as electric and CNG-based vehicles. While 64.9% are aware of green transport, 91.9% expressed willingness to adopt these vehicles if available. The main barriers to adoption are lack of awareness, cost, inadequate infrastructure, and limited government support. These findings suggest that promoting public awareness, providing incentives, and improving infrastructure are key to encouraging environmentally sustainable transport in Zaria.
References
Ajao, Q., Sadeeq, L., & Sodiq, O. O. (2024). Drivers of electric vehicle adoption in Nigeria: An extended UTAUT framework approach. arXiv Preprint, arXiv:2410.17282. https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.17282
Ajao, T., Bello, R., & Lawal, F. (2024). Adoption barriers of green transport solutions in Nigerian urban centers. Journal of Transport Policy and Sustainability, 10(2), 55–70.
Alogdianakis, F., & Dimitriou, L. (2024). In-depth appraisal of bus transport services for sustainability performance: A cost-benefit analysis approach. Transportation Research Record. https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981231190090
Akujor, C., Adeyemi, O., Musa, A., & Ibrahim, S. (2022). Urban transport emissions and environmental sustainability in Lagos, Nigeria. Environmental Development Journal, 15(2), 45–58.
Akujor, C. E., Uzowuru, E. E., Abubakar, S. S., & Amakom, C. M. (2022). Decarbonisation of the transport sector in Nigeria. Environmental Health Insights, 16, Article 11786302221125039. https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302221125039
Adeo-Ajayi, J. F., & Alagoa, E. J. (1980). Nigeria before 1800: Aspects of economic development and intergroup relations. In O. Ikime (Ed.), Groundwork of Nigerian History (pp. 232–238). Heinemann Educational Books.
Associated Press. (2024). Nigeria promotes compressed natural gas as alternative to petrol following fuel subsidy removal.
Doi, K. (2015). Transportation and economic development: Global perspectives. Transport Policy, 39, 1–8.
Federal Government of Nigeria. (2022). Nigeria energy transition plan – Transport. https://www.energytransition.gov.ng/transport-2-2/
Gujba, H., Mulugetta, Y., & Azapagic, A. (2013). Environmental and economic appraisal of transportation in Nigeria. Energy Policy, 61, 356–365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2012.12.017
International Council on Clean Transportation. (2021). Costs and benefits of soot-free road transport in Nigeria. https://theicct.org/publication/costs-and-benefits-of-soot-free-road-transport-in-nigeria/
Kaduna State Government. (2020). Kaduna State geographical and socio-economic profile. Kaduna: Ministry of Information and Home Affairs.
LEUNG, J. (2006). A literature review of theory and evidence in transportation and economic growth. Paper presented to the New Zealand Association of Economists Conference, Wellington.
Mingxuan, L., Ruhe, X., Peirong, C., Yifeng, Z., & Jie, T. (2019). Green transportation and logistics performance: An improved composite index.
Mondaq. (2023). Achieving a greener Nigeria: An attempt by the 2023 fiscal policy measures. https://www.mondaq.com/nigeria/environment/1338214/
National Population Commission (NPC). (2006). 2006 Population and Housing Census of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: National and State Population and Housing Tables. Abuja: NPC.
Njoh, A. (2012). Transportation infrastructure and economic development in developing countries. Journal of Infrastructure Development, 4(2), 1–14.
Nwokedi, T. C., Ndikom, O. C., Hussaini, Y. K., Komolafe, B. O., & Okonko, I. I. (2020). Economic justification for development and operationalization of rail-freight-corridors between hub-seaports and inland container depots in Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Development of Transport and Logistics, 5(2), 73–89. https://doi.org/10.14254/jsdtl.2020.5-2.7
Ogunlowo, O., Bristow, A., & Sohail, M. (2020). Sustainable transport development and carbon emissions in Nigeria. Transportation Research Procedia, 48, 3675–3686.
Ogunlowo, O. O., Bristow, A. L., & Sohail, M. (2020). Road transport energy consumption and vehicular emissions in Lagos, Nigeria: An application of the LEAP model. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 6, Article 100172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2020.100172
Oluwakoya, O. (2023). Climate change and sustainable transportation in Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 25(1), 54–68.
Oluwakoya, A. O. (2023). A comprehensive assessment of transportation emissions in Nigeria: Trends, drivers, and impacts. Proceedings of the Nigerian Academy of Science, 16(1), 45–60. https://nasjournal.org.ng/site/index.php/pnas/article/view/562/0
Oyetuni, O. T., Lawal, B. A., & Sule, D. (2025). Cost-benefit analysis and public projects execution in Lagos State, Nigeria. Journal of Accounting, Finance, and Contemporary Management Research, 1(2), 37–65. https://jafacomar.lautech.edu.ng/index.php/jafacomar/article/view/20
Oyebode, O. (2022). Green transport policies and sustainable urban mobility in Nigeria. Sustainable Cities and Society, 78, 103–110. https://doi.org/10.3126/josem.v1i2.45345
Onubi, H. O., Ene, E. E., & Williams, A. A. (2021). Urban transport emissions and environmental sustainability in Nigeria. Journal of Transport and Environmental Studies, 9(2), 45–59.
Onubi, H. O., Yusof, N., Hassan, A. S., & Bahdad, A. A. S. (2021). Analyzing the mediating effect of economic performance on the relationship between green construction practices and health and safety performance in Nigeria. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(27), 36598–36610. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13334-6
Rocky Mountain Institute. (2022). Nigeria’s ambitious goal of a clean transportation sector. https://rmi.org/nigerias-ambitious-goal-of-a-clean-transportation-sector/
Singh, K., Carlin, K., Stone, L., & Tenne, A. (2024). Nigeria’s ambitious goal of a clean transportation sector. Rocky Mountain Institute. https://rmi.org/nigerias-ambitious-goal-of-a-clean-transportation-sector/
Uche, C. (2019). Transportation development and economic growth in post-independence Nigeria. Journal of Transport and Development Studies, 12(1), 15–29.
Venable, A. J., Laird, J., & Overman, H. (2014). Transport investment and economic performance: Implications for project appraisal. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/275357520/webtag-tag-unit-a2-3-transport-appraisal-in-the-context-of-dependent-development.pdf
World Bank. (2023). Nigeria country climate and development report. Washington, DC: World Bank.
Yusuf, A. M., Abubakar, S., & Mamman, M. (2020). Relationship between greenhouse gas emission, energy consumption, and economic growth: Evidence from some selected oil-producing African countries. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27, 15815–15823.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Khalid Abubakar, Kasimu Abdullahi, Koshe Umar-Farouk Musa, Kabiru Mohammed Barau, Aminu Alhassan Umar

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