This project will support the long-term development of human capacity in the citizen science application development in the country, through the mentoring and collaborations across different universities and partners that would be established during this project. This would form the basis for the future development and expansion of the use of citizen science applications in environmental monitoring in Nigeria.

The project would create an upward trajectory for engagement in Citizen Science across the country. Currently, crowdsourcing is being used by radios and TV stations to collect information about events across the country, this project would pioneer and lead to the long-term development of crowdsourcing in environmental monitoring and most especially air quality monitoring.

This project would lead to the long-term development of a database on lichen diversity and their indication for air quality. This could open the further development and application of Lichens in the study of urban settlements’ impact on the environment.

Monitoring air quality and availability of data will support the development of policies and measures to address air quality. This will ultimately contribute to saving lives and reducing man-hours lost to ailments (due to air pollution) and significantly increase labour productivity (and economic development).

With the launching and usage of the mobile app and field guide, the popularisation of it will raise the awareness of the general populace of air quality as well as raising environmental awareness. This will, in the long run, facilitate learning about the environment and the impact of human activity on the environment. With engagement and promotion of the use of the CS app among secondary school students’ interest in STEM courses can be raised, thereby contributing to development in science and technology and consequently economic development.